This thesis presents a study on the aerodynamic behavior of the flow around race car with and without mirrors using a new Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) software. The primary objective is to investigate the impact of mirrors on the flow disturbances and aerodynamic forces experienced by the vehicle, with the aim of obtaining a lap time difference in real life circuits between the two models. The study begins by introducing the importance of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in the accurate study of fluids and specially in motorsports. Then the main CFD methods are presented and assessed in order to be used in the present project. When the limitations are clear, an introductory insight of the LBM is presented to the reader to understand the basic principles of the theory. Through a series of simulations and analysis, the mesh created by the newly discovered LBM software is assessed. This analysis provides powerful insight on the potential of the LBM in the motorsports industry as the results obtained with a gaming home computer with low VRAM seem to be acceptable. Then the aerodynamic performance of the race car is evaluated under different free stream conditions in order to study the evolution that the parameters have with the free stream velocities. The simulations reveal that the presence of mirrors significantly affects the flow vortices, resulting in increased drag and potential impacts on the car’s stability. The practical implications of this research extend to race car design and optimization in competitive racing. The insights gained from the study highlight the possibility of considering the mirrors as a suppressible part of the overall aerodynamic package. The findings contribute to the broader field of race car aerodynamics and can aid teams and manufacturers. When applied to the practical case of a circuit, although there are some limitations on the hypothesis taken as that the car is going all the time in a straight line, the results offer some insight on the effect of the mirrors on the overall time lap. Finally, an alternative to the mirrors is presented leaving the idea open for further design and analysis on the viability. In conclusion, this thesis offers a comprehensive analysis of the aerodynamic behavior of a race car with and without mirrors using a state-of-the-art LBM software. The study emphasizes the significant impact of mirrors on flow patterns, drag, and handling characteristics. The research findings provide valuable insights for optimizing race car performance, enhancing stability, and ensuring driver safety in the highly competitive world of motorsports
