List of functions of a Formula 1 steering wheel

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The list of functions of a Formula 1 steering wheel describes the various displays, switches and controls on the steering wheel of a Formula 1 - racing car .

history

Formula 1 in the 1950s was characterized by mechanical and simple electrical components. The steering wheel was round, made of wood, and for many years served only to steer the car, until well into the 1980s the switches and displays were on chassis components in the cockpit. In 1979 the Williams FW07 was one of the first Formula 1 racing cars to have a toggle switch on the steering wheel with which the engine could be switched off.

From the end of the 1980s, electronics found its way into Formula 1, and in 1989 the Ferrari 640 , which was designed by John Barnard , had shift paddles for electronic gear changing on the steering wheel for the first time . In 1991, drivers were able to control functions of the McLaren MP4 / 6 using four buttons and two paddle shifters on the steering wheel .

In 1997, the McLaren MP4 / 12 was the first to have a system called "Brake-Steer". The vehicle electronics determined whether the vehicle was turning left or right based on the angle of the steering wheel, and automatically braked the inside rear wheel. This reduced understeer in the bend and the spinning of the inside rear wheel out of tight bends.

In 2003 the McLaren MP4-17D had to master over 30 functions. In 2011 the steering wheel of the Ferrari 150 ° Italia had more than 100 different displays, switches and setting options.

A 2011 Formula 1 steering wheel consists of around 120 individual parts, is mainly made of carbon and weighs around 1.3 kilograms. The construction of the individually adapted control elements takes around 100 working hours.

Features on the front

Beschriftung RF: Heckflügel-Schalter auf der Rückseite Taster N: Leerlauf Kontrollleuchte RF on: Heckflügel ist aktiviert Kontrollleuchte Ready: Heckflügel darf aktiviert werden LED-Leiste: Schaltblitz, Anzeige des optimalen Schaltpunktes Kontrollleuchten: Flaggenzeichen Digitalanzeige: Ganganzeige Kontrollleuchten: Flaggenzeichen Digitalanzeige: Anzeige nach Wahl Kontrollleuchte Soc H: KERS wird geladen Kontrollleuchte K on: KERS ist aktiviert Taster L: Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung für die Boxengasse Beschriftung K: KERS-Schalter auf der Rückseite Drehrad DIF IN: Einstellung Differenzialsperre Drehrad CHRG: Ladegeschwindigkeit KERS Drehschalter REV: Drehzahlbegrenzer Drehschalter BOOST: Einstellung KERS Kontrollleuchte Soc L: unbekannte Funktion Kontrollleuchte: Unbekannte Funktion Taster Ov: Freigabe der maximalen Drehzahl Taster RADIO: Sprechen ein/aus Drehschalter MIX: Gemischaufbereitung Multifunktionswählschalter Drehschalter TRQ: Kennfelder Drehschalter GRIP: Anpassung der Haftung Taster DRINK: Getränk Taster PUMP: Öl-Pumpe Taster RF: Unbekannte Funktion Kippschalter BO: Burnout Kippschalter START: Start-Modus Kippschalter WET: Regenreifen Taster 10/+: 10er Schritte oder im Menü hoch Taster 1/-: 1er Schritte oder im Menü runter Taster OK: Bestätigungstaste
Steering wheel front, layout and colors similar to 2011 Ferrari 150 ° Italia

(interactive graphics; the mouseover / tooltip function must be supported by the browser.)

The steering wheel of the Ferrari 150 ° Italia from 2011 was used as an example .

Labeling RF (rear wing flap)
Reference to the button on the back for activating the rear wing flap .
Button N (neutral)
Button activates idle .
Control lamp RF on (rear wing flap on)
The rear wing flap is activated.
Ready indicator light
The rear wing flap may be used.
LED bar
Shift light , display of the optimal shift point.
double yellow / red / blue signal lights
The race management uses the three signal lights to transmit the yellow , red or blue flag characters displayed directly to the cockpit.
Large digital display left and right
Various values ​​and settings are shown on these digital displays. The display is switched with the multifunction rotary switch MF.
Digital display in the middle
Gear indicator
Control lamp Soc H
KERS is loading.
Control lamp K on (KERS on)
KERS is activated.
Button L (Limiter)
Speed ​​limiter for the pit lane.
Lettering K (KERS)
Note on the button on the back for activating the KERS.
Rotary switch DIF-IN (differential lock)
Setting the differential lock for curves.
Rotary switch CHRG (Charge)
This switch allows you to vary the loading speed of the KERS. At level 0 the accumulators are not charged, at level 4 the generators are switched on to the maximum when braking , the braking effect is increased accordingly.
Control lamp Soc L
Function unknown.
Button Ov
Release of the maximum speed .
DRINK button
Activates the beverage dispenser in the helmet.
PUMP button
Additional oil is pumped into the engine.
RF button
Opens the rear wing (see DRS and reverse).
RADIO button
Talk button for radio communication.
Button 10 / +
Key for steps of 10 or up in the menu.
Button 1 / -
Key for steps of 1 or down in the menu.
OK button
The driver confirms menus or radio commands with the button.
Rotary switch MF (multi functions)
The multifunction rotary switch MF controls 12 sub-items. Further sub-functions are selected with the plus and minus buttons. The exact functions are unknown.
Rotary switch REV (Rev limiter)
The speed limiter can be adjusted in 12 stages.
Rotary switch BOOST
The acceleration of the KERS can be regulated in 9 stages.
Rotary switch TRQ
Various engine maps are available here. Among other things, these control the torque that can be called up .
Rotary switch GRIP
Adjustment of the vehicle settings to the different grip conditions of the tires.
Rotary switch MIX
Adaptation of the mixture preparation from “lean” to “rich”, i.e. the fuel-air ratio.
Toggle switch BO (Burnout)
Allows the driver to provoke burnout . Is used, for example, in the warm-up lap to warm up the rear tires.
START toggle switch
Activates the start mode and deactivates other functions.
Toggle switch WET
Switches various functions and display values ​​to rain mode.

Functions on the back

Zentralverschluss Kippschalter: Unterbrecher Zündung Kippschalter: Unterbrecher Zündung Taster K: KERS Taster RF: Verstellbarer Heckflügel Taste: Differenzialsperre aktivieren Taste: Differenzialsperre deaktivieren Taste: Gang runter Taste: Gang hoch Taste: Kupplung Taste: Kupplung Taste: Unbekannte Funktion
Rear of steering wheel, layout and colors similar to 2011 Ferrari 150 ° Italia

(interactive graphics; the mouseover / tooltip function must be supported by the browser.)

The steering wheel of the Ferrari 150 ° Italia from 2011 was used as an example .

There are seven levers, two push buttons and two toggle switches on the back.

Two toggle switches CB (circuit breaker)
Pressing both toggle switches interrupts the ignition.
Button K (KERS)
Activation of the KERS
RF button (rear wing flap)
Activates the rear wing flap , this is only allowed in a zone of the track defined by the race management.
Rocker switch DIF IN / OUT (differential lock)
Adjusts the differential lock for corner entry and exit.
Rocker switch GEAR UP / DOWN (Gearbox)
With these rockers, the driver shifts forward gears one to seven up and down. The N button on the front is used to switch to idle.
Rocker switch CLUTCH
When starting, these rockers are used to couple. The manual clutch is no longer required when driving .
Rocker switch ADDON
The function of this key is unknown.

Various Formula 1 steering wheels from recent years

criticism

The growing number of functions is now viewed critically by many drivers, including Sebastian Vettel , Fernando Alonso and Nick Heidfeld . In some cases, several functions have to be operated at the same time today. In spring 2011, this issue was discussed in the GPDA drivers' union because of safety concerns .

Web links

Commons : Formula 1 steering wheels  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

proof

  1. ↑ a b c The Formula 1 steering wheel under the microscope. motorsport-magazin.com, February 19, 2011, accessed on March 1, 2012 .
  2. ↑ MP 4-12C. McLarenAutomotive.com, accessed March 15, 2012 .
  3. ↑ a b Ferrari F150 steering wheel in the 3D animation. auto-motor-sport.de, April 8, 2011, accessed on February 16, 2012 .
  4. ↑ Alonso is bothered by the many buttons on the steering wheel. blick.ch, January 29, 2011, accessed on February 29, 2012 .
  5. ↑ Strike threatens: The big jumble of buttons in the Formula 1 cockpit. blick.ch, March 22, 2011, accessed on February 29, 2012 .
  6. ↑ Alonso interview: From influence and pressure build-up. (No longer available online.) Formel1.de, January 28, 2011, archived from the original on January 31, 2011 ; Retrieved February 29, 2012 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.formel1.de