A CFD Analysis of a Historic Formula One Car: McLaren MP4/4

(air speed: 50m/s)This video is the forth of a continuing series that analyse historic F1 cars with Computational Fluid Dynamics. This study of the McLaren MP4/4 builds upon the previous videos of the the BrabhamBT52 and McLaren MP4/2 . This McLaren is the most dominate car in Formula One history winning 15/16 races during 1988 giving eight to Ayrton Senna and his first World Drivers Championship.

This particular study analyses the effects of ride height relative to downforce levels. The McLaren MP4/4 ran a developed diffuser which is much more sensitive to ride heights than its predecessors.

Software: OpenFoam Numerical model: SimpleFoam Turbulence model: kOmegaSST

Other models include: March 881/891 Ferrari 641 ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvV72qniXm0