The Red Bull Owners' Workshop Manual

The word from the Malaysian Grand Prix paddock ten days ago, was that many of the other Formula 1 teams will now be attempting to mimic Red Bull's flexible front-wing. As Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn pointed out, "teams have got to decide if that's the reason - or one of the reasons - for [Red Bull's] level of performance. If it is, then you need to consider going that route yourself."

McLaren, in particular, will presumably be seeking to use the recently extended capability of their CFD simulation software, STAR-CCM+, to represent "fully coupled, two-way, fluid-structure interaction (FSI)" with Abaqus, a popular FEA software tool. As CD-adapco proudly announce on their own website,

"Put simply, the close-coupling between STAR-CCM+ and Abaqus brings the solution of a wide range of FSI problems within the easy reach of a typical engineer. In terms of both practicality and accuracy, co-simulation (in which both codes exchange data as they simultaneously run) is the only way to tackle problems such as aerodynamic flutter, fluid induced bending, vortex induced vibration and galloping."

Those teams intending to imitate Red Bull, may seek to accelerate their learning curve by purchasing a copy of the Red Bull Formula 1 Owners' Workshop Manual, due to be published by Haynes in July. Chapter titles will, no doubt, include: 'Using a pull-rod suspension system', 'Passing front-wing load-deflection tests', and 'Introducing an exhaust-blown diffuser without melting the floor of your car'. A chapter on 'How to successfully install your KERS system' may now be delayed until a second edition.