New supercomputer for Sauber

DALCO building new Supercomputer for Sauber Petronas

Shortly after the commissioning of their new wind tunnel, Sauber Petronas are now launching an offensive in the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). For this purpose, Sauber Motorsport AG have signed a three-year partnership agreement for a Supercomputer with DALCO. The software for the project is supplied by Fluent, and AMD are providing the requisite processors.

This high-performance computing system - one of the most capable of its kind currently existing both in Formula 1 and the automotive industry - will enable Sauber to perform CFD calculations at much higher speed as well as to solve particularly complex computing tasks.

With regard to the aerodynamic development of a racing car, CFD is an important complement to the work performed in the wind tunnel. Several different versions of such components as the front and rear wings or turning vanes are calculated and tested on the computer before the most promising versions are built as 60-percent models and tested in the wind tunnel.

"CFD is an extremely important element in the entire complex of aerodynamics, helping us to make particularly efficient use of the capabilities of our wind tunnel. The new system will be opening up new dimensions for Sauber in the field of CFD," says Sauber's Technical Director Willy Rampf.

Sauber have entrusted the Swiss company, DALCO, to lead the project. Following in-depth testing of the gamut of technology options currently available, DALCO's specialists have defined a concept for a respective Supercomputer and developed an architecture enabling extremely complex tasks to be solved at high speed and cost efficiency.

"We've specified exceptionally high demands for DALCO and it's impressive to see how they've been able to meet and even exceed all of them," Team Principal Peter Sauber commented on the project.

-sauber-