#19: The day I wanted to be a Formula 1 Engineer
And the CFD simulation project that fulfilled my dream...sort of!
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Yes, it’s true!
And most people don’t know that about me.
For as long as I can remember, I was an avid fan growing up watching very fast cars on the TV, speeding around tarmac circuits located around the world.
The pit-stops.
The engine sounds.
The starting formations.
The nauseating speeds.
The risk of a car crashes.
The oddly-shaped car shapes.
It was incredible.
I was even lucky enough to see a live race at Silverstone in the UK!
The choices you make determine what you’ll be doing later
Back in the early 2000’s I was studying a mixed set of A-levels at college.
Getting to grips with concepts in Chemistry.
Trying to visualise processes in Biology.
And staying human-centred in Psychology.
In hind-sight I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do for a living - practically.
For someone like me, this meant the course I picked as an undergraduate student would essentially dictate the field I go into.
I decided on a ‘Motorsport Engineering’ (Mechanical) program at the University of Hertfordshire, well-established as an engineering university in the UK.
I was made a promise:
access to advanced technologies and research labs
taught by lecturers with industrial experience
a well-rounded curriculum built with industry guidance
the potential to join advanced manufacturing companies, product development businesses, and race teams
It was the best thing I could do at the time towards my dream of joining a Formula 1 team!
Meeting CFD for the first time…with a smile
I had to wait until Year 2 before I studied fundamental concepts in fluid dynamics and vehicle design. We got introduced to 3D CAD systems and G-code in the on-site mini factory floor.
Cool stuff and very hands-on….
But in Year 3, with my selection of a final year research topic (“race car wing aerodynamics using CFD simulation and wind tunnel testing”) I finally got shown some of the coolest ‘gear’ - CFD workstations and a closed-return wind tunnel!
The research project had me doing an extensive academic journal review, lab tests, wind-tunnel mock-ups and simulation workflows for many months before writing a cohesive report towards the end.
Here’s a photo of a surviving black and white page with screenshots of wake structures that formed in a CFD study of an Ahmed body, I conducted using Phoenics CFD software:
It’s fascinating to look at - even now as I reminisce those stressful but crucial days of my early career.
A few book recommendations
The books below are available on Amazon (just click to visit - affiliate links) and would be useful to you if you’re looking to build your knowledge of motorsport and the engineering that goes into them!
A slight change of plan…
Every Engineer has a story of their own and journey they make.
Formula 1 was somewhat of a fairy-tale to me. I didn’t know anyone in the sport, nor anyone remotely connected so it was hard to ‘see’ myself practically doing it - travelling with the team, short deadlines and the lack of clear local opportunities at the time.
Of course, you now have a wide variety and variation in suppliers, vendors and motorsport communities (F1, Formula-E, karting etc).
I personally went on to work as a Mechanical Engineer for 12+ years in a variety of consulting and manufacturing businesses - designing and simulating injection-moulded film costumes, CNC-machined hunting rifles and shotguns, metal fabricated support structures, light-weight brackets, welded frames and many more.
I now develop advanced 3D CAD and CAE software for the wider community of Engineers and build tools with empathy.
Please like and share this if it helped you! 🙏
Let’s grow the best CFD and FEA simulation community of Engineers and Researchers together.
- Nasser
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Disclaimer:
All content in this post and newsletter is my own production and do not reflect the opinions or positions of my employers, partners or associates.