A closer look at the black art of aerodynamics in Formula One

Of course, with aerodynamics being such a pivotal factor in determining performance on the track, Panasonic Toyota Racing leaves no stone unturned as it searches for small improvements it hopes can deliver success.

At its headquarters in Cologne, Germany, the team uses the latest technology to put designs to the test before they even make it on to a race track with a two-pronged approach. Powerful computers are able to simulate the effect of air flow over the car without it even needing to be built, while in the wind tunnel, an exact scale model of the TF107 is subjected to a wind flow which replicates driving at speed.

“Basically we spend roughly 8,000-9,000hours a year just to develop the car in the wind tunnel,” says Mark. “That is in addition to a similar amount of time in CFD, computational fluid dynamics, which is a computer programme which models the air flow over the car.”

The comprehensive data from these tests shows the team how the car behaves at racing speed, giving Mark and his colleagues the information they need to constantly improve the aerodynamics.