The Influence of F1 “porpoising” Phenomenon and Venturi Floor Design on the Performance of Racing Cars

Abstract

Aerodynamics is the decisive factor for the performance of modern Formula 1 (F1) cars. Unlike ordinary cars which rely on mechanical grip, F1 racing cars achieve significant downforce through the coordinated operation of the floor, front wings and diffusers, thereby significantly increasing the speed of cornering.In 2022, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) regulations underwent reform, reintroducing the concept of ground effect, which made the Venturi underbody the core of aerodynamic design. However, this extreme geometric design also leads to the “ porpoising “ phenomenon, where the racing car experiences periodic up-and-down vibrations due to the interruption of air flow at high speeds. This paper systematically analyzes the application of the Venturi effect in the base plate of F1 racing cars and its impact on downforce and drag through literature review, wind tunnel experiments and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation data. At the same time, it also explores the formation mechanism of the porpoising and its comprehensive influence on the stability of the racing car, the physical condition of the driver and the competition results. Case studies show that the Mercedes W13 frequently exhibits dolphin leaps due to the design of its base plate. In contrast, the Red Bull RB18 effectively mitigated this phenomenon through geometric optimization and material reinforcement. The conclusion of this study emphasizes that in the future development of F1 aerodynamics, a balance needs to be struck between pursuing extreme performance and maintaining stability.