By SAUBER PETRONAS
June 24 2004

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.

DALCO´s Supercomputer is based on a Linux cluster architecture using AMD Opteron processors. The project, initially comprising 530 CPUs, represents a value of nearly five million Swiss Francs and is scheduled to be launched shortly.

DALCO, headquartered in Volketswil, Switzerland, are one of Europe´s leading producers of cluster-based Linux solutions in the field of supercomputing and the leading supplier of Linux-based solutions in Switzerland. Dalco´s product range encompasses Supercomputers, custom-configured servers and high-performance workstations as well as extensive SAN and NAS storage solutions all the way to high-availability, fault-tolerant systems. www.dalco.ch

AMD (NYSE:AMD) design and produce microprocessors, Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries. AMD are dedicated to helping their customers deliver standards-based, customer-focused solutions for technology users, ranging from enterprises to government agencies and individual consumers. Founded in 1969, AMD are a Standard & Poor´s 500 company with global operations and manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.amd.com

Fluent are the world´s leading supplier in the rapidly growing market of fluid flow simulation. Applications range from modelling laminar and turbulent flow with heat exchange, including radiation, all the way to mixing processes, chemical reactions, combustions, multi-phase flow and aerodynamic calculations. In addition, Fluent offer a complete range of supporting services in the field of fluid flow simulation. Fluent are headquartered in Lebanon (New Hampshire, USA) and represented around the world with 16 offices and numerous distributors. Consulting support for SAUBER PETRONAS´ engineers is provided by Fluent Germany. www.fluent.de

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