Flow Viz Paint in Formula 1

[aircap]

I found this article very interesting....
You would think the F1 guys have airflow all figured out.
Not so....

http://formula1-dictionary.net/flow_viz_paint.html

[SPARKY]

When I used to fly gliders we used mineral oil and carbon black with a kitchen baster to put "black dots"   we may try something similar if we don't run out of time and money

[wobblywalrus]

The 2020 Ferrari.  There are some comments about its aerodynamics.  https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51421130

[wobblywalrus]

This article, near the bottom of the first page, shows an "aero rake" data collection setup.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/formula1/50296998

[manta22]

Sometimes the key to solving aerodynamic problems is just a swarm of gnats.

https://drivetribe.com/p/porsche-917-chassis-006-and-008-M_aXEhJ3TUqU-UzBHAx3pg?iid=VDeF5XaOTvKgoLZNIdT1yw

[Bratfink]

This article, near the bottom of the first page, shows an "aero rake" data collection setup.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/formula1/50296998

I've build and logged with a couple of those over the years. They are handy, but only for looking at local flow characteristics. They tend to ruin the flow for other measurements downstream.

Florescence is a good visualization tool but 3 things need to be considered.
1) It doesn't show where the flow is going, it shows were it's not going. The fluid pools in areas of low flow. rather than thinking of it as looking at velocity, it's more like surface Cp.
2) It only shows near wall flow. You learn nothing of boundary layer thickness, turbulence or any other factors that influence drag/DF.
3) It makes a real mess everywhere! Between that and clay I almost always have to throw away my clothes when I come back from a tunnel test.