Just_a_fan wrote: ↑04 Mar 2021, 19:04
PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑04 Mar 2021, 18:46
And let us not forget that low rake cars might be less affected by the floor rules. I can assume a smaller vortex is needed to seal the floor since it is closer to the ground than with a high rake car.
If the floor was "sealed" by a vortex along it, you might be right. But that's not really how it works, at least not in the way of a vortex running along the bottom edge of the floor like a skirt.
You better believe it!
All those fins and flaps are creating interacting vortices that work together to "protect" the air flows as they travel to the rear of the car. The idea is to minimize tubulent energy losses. The more internal energy the air has on it way through to the end of the car, the faster will flow under the floor and through the diffuser. If you can also prevent turbulent energy loss after it leaves the car you will have less drag.
So yeah.. The managment of vortices is pretty much a big deal. Many "trips, "strakes, " vanes and curls and tips can be seen from the front wing, barge board, floor, end plates, all the way to the end of the car.