The Laws of Stan

Mathematics in Formula One - Ivan Roldan - Lead Aerodynamicist at Mclaren Racing

Stanley Rappaport Season 1 Episode 8

Hello everyone, and welcome back to "The Laws of Stan". After a short break from releasing episodes, I am excited to bring you the 8th episode of our first season 🥳

Following a mix of technical and non-technical episodes exploring the role of mathematics in various industries, this week, we delve into a particularly intricate and technical subject: Mathematics in Formula One 🏎🏎🏎


And who better to discuss this topic with than Dr. Ivan Roldan, former Lead Aerodynamics Engineer at McLaren Racing. 🏁


As a sports enthusiast, I am particularly thrilled about this episode as it represents another step in uncovering the mathematical intricacies of sports. While our previous episode on Mathematics in Venture Capital was more accessible to those with a non-technical background, this episode leans heavily on a solid understanding of applied mathematics concepts. 🧮


For those interested in tuning in, here are some brief explanations of several technical mathematical engineering concepts you'll encounter:


🌬 CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics): Branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical analysis and data structures to analyse and solve problems that involve fluid flows.


🛫 Aerodynamics: The way objects move through air. The rules of aerodynamics explain how an aeroplane can fly.


📈 PDE (Partial Differential Equations): Mathematical equation that involves multiple independent variables, an unknown function that is dependent on those variables, and partial derivatives of the unknown function concerning the independent variables.


= Navier-Stokes Equations: Partial differential equations describing the motion of viscous fluid substances, such as liquids and gases.


 🌪 Turbulence: Fluid motion characterised by chaotic pressure and flow velocity changes. It contrasts to a « laminar flow », occurring when fluids flow in parallel layers, with no disruption between them.


So, whether you’re a die-hard Formula One fan, an aspiring engineer, or a mathematics enthusiast, I hope you enjoy this listening experience! 🤝