Formula 1 steering wheel explained

[Ardius]

This topic comes up from time to time and its never really explained fully. We're always told vaguely what some of the buttons do on the wheel but never in any full detail. I've always been interested in this and I've never seen a decent explanation, so here we go. This is for those who may not know all this already.
Finally, Lotus have produced an explanation on their website, which I have cheekily copied here.

All of the buttons and rotaries have labels apart from the MID, EXIT and MFS rotaries
The MID rotary is underneath the ENTRY rotary. The EXIT rotary is under the MID.
The MFS rotary is located underneath the WING rotary, it has the coloured options with a white ring around it.

Starting from the top left and working our way down the wheel in columns:
Buttons
PIT LIMIT: The driver presses this coming up to the pit limiter line. The driver keeps the throttle pedal pressed the SECU controls the engine to keep the car speed at the pit limit target (100km/h for races). To slow down below the pit limit speed, the driver simply lifts off the throttle pedal.
PC: This is a confirm button to let the engineers know that the driver has heard a request.
TALK: This latches the radio on for 30 seconds or alternatively, the driver can press it again to turn the radio off. A red LED light illuminates while the radio is latched on.
10 & -: This button has two functionalities. Firstly, we need to explain the functionality of the driver defaults. The driver can select a "driver default" from 1 to 77. These defaults are used to disable sensors, which are in error. When the MFS rotary is in the DEF position, the "10" button allows the driver to scroll through the decimal characters (10, 20, 30...70). When the MFS is in any position other than the DEF position, the "-" button allows the driver to scroll down the map number assigned to that MFS position.
SC: When the safety car is deployed, a reference lap time (supplied by the FIA) is displayed on the dash. The driver must remain above this lap time to ensure he is not deemed to be driving too fast under the safety car. The SC button allows the driver to turn off this reference lap time once he has joined the train behind the safety car.
DRINK: This simply gives the driver a drink.
N: The neutral button. Used to select neutral.
WING: When pressed, the wing moves to the target position set by the WING rotary. Only two changes are allowed per lap.
ACK: This confirms any driver default change.
1+: The "1" button changes the index numbers of the driver defaults. The "+" button scrolls up the maps selected by the MFS rotary.
REV: This button selects reverse. There are several checks to prevent an accidental press of this button on-track!
BPF: This button enables the Bite-Point-Finder(BPF). The BPF engages the clutch three times until the engine speed drops, allowing the bite point to be measured automatically.

Rotaries (switches, dials, whatever you want to call them)
ENTRY: This modifies the differential torque demand under braking (corner entry).
MID: This modifies the differential torque demand as the driver comes off the brakes and into the corner apex (middle of the corner).
EXIT: This modifies the differential torque demand as the driver goes on the throttle pedal exiting a corner (corner exit).
CLUTCH: This modifies the clutch bite point.
TORQUE: Allows the driver to select one of the five torque maps available in the SECU code.
WING: The driver selects the target wing position from this rotary.
MFS: MFS stands for Multi-Function Switch. With all the other rotaries, the map positions are selected by rotating the rotary switch. With the MFS, the driver turns the switch to the map he would like to modify, e.g. EOS (end of straight limiter). He can then modify that map using the "+" and "-" buttons to scroll up and down respectively.
RPM: The driver selects the different engine mapping from this rotary. Maps vary from maximum performance, as used in qualifying, to fuel-saving as may be used while behind the safety car.
TYRE: The driver must rotate this to match the tyre fitted. When an intermediate or wet tyre is selected, the rain light is turned on. The tyre circumference is also changed in the SECU to ensure the measured speed is accurate. Changing the tyre type can also modify the many control strategies, such as the speed of a gear shift and the torque map.

Paddles:
Almost hidden behind the wheel are the shift paddles and the clutch paddles. The upshift paddle is on the top right with the downshift paddle on the top left. Both clutch paddles are mapped identically.

All credit goes to the Lotus Racing website for the descriptions and the diagram. To see the original version, go here:
http://www.lotusracing.my/index.php

"SECU" refers to the engine control unit (ECU).
An explanation of Torque maps or "Engine maps" and the regulations on them here:
http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=Ted_Kravitz&id=42139

 

[Radracing]

Should I explain further? THX for the F1 wheel info, I was always curious about all them switches. But I'm sure it is either different for every driver or just every F1 car.

 

[Momoniu]

what I would love to know is do these modern steering wheels have processor chips in them (cpu's) and what do they run on?

legend has it they are pretty powerful

 

[Peter]

Shift and clutch paddles? So, they have to press them both at the same time? I thought these F1 gearboxes were completely semi-automatic, as in, no clutching required at all while sifting.

 

[senamic]

From memory, they only use the clutch on starts, and other times they grind to a halt (Pitstops, Ste Devote if they are in the midfield at the start).

 

[kikie]

Should I explain further?

Yes please.

Is this wheel from one of the new F1 teams? Looks interesting.

 

[Rykon Zero]

F1 cars have a drink button!? I'm totally going to be an F1 driver now if I get a drink button. Modify it slightly, keep the drink button, but next to it, have a little knob with three settings on it, "WATER," "COLA," and "GATORADE."

Man, I'm a genius, this is why I'm going to be an engineer, so I can put drink buttons in F1 cars.

 

[waggles]

And a vodka setting for Kimi.

Mark can have a radio transmit button that says "🤬 off!"

 

[lbsf1]

what I would love to know is do these modern steering wheels have processor chips in them (cpu's) and what do they run on?

legend has it they are pretty powerful

I would think so at £30,000 a pop.

 

[Ardius]

Should I explain further? THX for the F1 wheel info, I was always curious about all them switches. But I'm sure it is either different for every driver or just every F1 car.

Yes, different cars have different wheels, but they have mostly the same functions.

Shift and clutch paddles? So, they have to press them both at the same time? I thought these F1 gearboxes were completely semi-automatic, as in, no clutching required at all while sifting.

The clutch is only used for starts.

 

[Clark]

It should be like this-

 

[PeterJB]

It would be a good test of no-handed driving. Alonso could cover his F-Duct whilst changing gear and pressing the clutch!

 

[Ardius]

It should be like this-

That wouldn't be F1 though.

 

[lbsf1]

That wouldn't be F1 though.

That was f1 though.

 

[Ardius]

That was f1 though.

Indeed, once upon a time, it was the forefront of technology. But it is no longer, to go back would not be F1.

People are too obssessed at times with the driver being the centre of attention, lets not lose sight of the fact this (and as are all motorsports) is a team sport. If we force everyone to use old technology just for the sake of entertainment, is it F1 any more? What are we really watching it for then?

 

[yeti]

Awesome find - and awesome insight into the steering wheel. Great work.

C.

PS - I would quite like to see new drivers in old cars though - and actually racing them - not parading them... would be amazing to see. (Call it "F1 Classics" or something) - Imagine once a year they got this years F1 drivers to cain about in the F1 cars from (say) 50 years ago for a one off race... (Each year it increments - so in 50 years time they'll be using F-ducts and wondering why they have to drive with 1 hand!)

 

[Tired Tyres]

Indeed, once upon a time, it was the forefront of technology. But it is no longer, to go back would not be F1.

People are too obssessed at times with the driver being the centre of attention, lets not lose sight of the fact this (and as are all motorsports) is a team sport. If we force everyone to use old technology just for the sake of entertainment, is it F1 any more? What are we really watching it for then?

That is because it is all about the driver. It always has been and it should always be so. He is the human element of a very technical sport. Lose sight of that and you lose interest in the sport as well.

90,000 people didn't turn up for the Spanish Grand Prix to see a Ferrari do well. They turned up to see Alonso do well.

 

[Ardius]

That is because it is all about the driver. It always has been and it should always be so. He is the human element of a very technical sport. Lose sight of that and you lose interest in the sport as well.

90,000 people didn't turn up for the Spanish Grand Prix to see a Ferrari do well. They turned up to see Alonso do well.

No it isn't, the driver is part of the package, but he is not the focus. Yes, he is the human element, but is he the only purpose for competition in F1? Is it a competition of the best drivers or the best cars?
It is both, not one or the other. Take away the teams and the construction of their own cars (constructors) and it is no longer F1, so therefore you cannot just say "give them all the same car, with a steering wheel and pedals" and focus on trying to make it all about challenging the drivers.
Yes, it should be the pinnacle for drivers to aim for and it should have the best drivers in the world. However, it isn't the sole focus of F1.

Who succeeds is the best team, not just the best driver or just the best car or just the best team principal. It has always been a team game and should always be.

 

[Tired Tyres]

Yes it is the team that wins. Yes it is the team that develops the best car. Yes it is the team that does everything to create the successful nature of a winning team. None of that matters one little bit to the people watching the sport. It is all about the driver and that is all it can ever be about.

 

[Ardius]

I think it does, but people don't realise it. If we had a spec series where <insert driver name here> doesn't do well because his car doesn't really suit his style, is it really better?
At least in F1 they have a chance to show their worth relative to their teammate and also in the sense of developing a car to their style and needs, or even driving around problems. If F1 was just GP2, I doubt people would enjoy it as much and not only that, the sponsors and manufacturers would be harder to come by (the manufacturers gain nothing, and the sponsors gain less for their money as they lose the interest in the sport brought by manufacturers).

Take out the technology, there is no point in manufacturers being there. Take out the drivers, and we lose the "human element".
It is only about the driver to the average viewer, but to the manufacturers it is about the marketing and the technology developed. For the teams as well, its not about the driver but about their competition against other teams, the hundreds of aerodynamicists, engineers, technicians and so on developing ideas and parts.
I think F1 could exist without the drivers better than it could exist without the technology and the teams.

 

[RacecarBMW]

I like the drink button

Thanks for the info

 

[Dijital Majik]

Man, I'm a genius, this is why I'm going to be an engineer, so I can put drink buttons in F1 cars.

Put one on a Logitech wheel and we can talk

 

[Radracing]

Yes please.

Is this wheel from one of the new F1 teams? Looks interesting.

I think it's going to be with the PD Racing team, owner Kaz Y. is a legend in his own right. Hopefully they will come out with a version that has a clutch, handbrake and a biult in PSP holder.

They can have it with the PSP as the HUD unit too so you can configure in the drink button.

Off topic I think, Sorry.

 

[Radracing]

It would be a good test of no-handed driving. Alonso could cover his F-Duct whilst changing gear and pressing the clutch!

Hhmm, I wonder if the regulation require manually opperated F-Duct switch or if you are allowed to just put another button on the wheel to open and close the duct? That one hand steering is a lot off trouble, might as well stick your hand our up in the air to buffer the rear spoiler.

Note: oopps! sorry for the double post.

 

[waggles]

The reason they use their hand or knee is for that reason-it cannot be purely mechanically operated.

 

[F1 fan]

Ardius, you seem to get into a lot of "heated debates" (read: arguements) that you don't start. Have to agree with you on this one though.

Awesome find - and awesome insight into the steering wheel. Great work.

C.

PS - I would quite like to see new drivers in old cars though - and actually racing them - not parading them... would be amazing to see. (Call it "F1 Classics" or something) - Imagine once a year they got this years F1 drivers to cain about in the F1 cars from (say) 50 years ago for a one off race... (Each year it increments - so in 50 years time they'll be using F-ducts and wondering why they have to drive with 1 hand!)

There are classic f1 races... Infact, there's even an FIA endorsed historic F1 championship.

http://historicformulaone.com/

Fair enough, it doesn't include the current drivers, but still, it would be awesome to see these cars in action. I might try and get to brands hatch for this year's round.

Would love to go to spa though. In my opinion it's the greatest racetrack in the world. Bar none. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm moving to Vancouver at the end of the year, I would go to the race at spa... Unless anyone's thinking of going and would like someone to go with and contribute to petrol costs or something...

I remember a funny advert in autosport last year. It was something along the lines of "Jenson Button isn't 2009's only FIA F1 world champion".

 

[yeti]

Seriously awesome!!

Maybe you should take the hit and goto Spa as your last chance!!

C.

 

[FishforRent]

Ferrari's '08 wheel. think they'll ever tell us what these mean??? Some we can probably deduce, others....no idea..

 

[Ardius]

Ardius, you seem to get into a lot of "heated debates" (read: arguements) that you don't start. Have to agree with you on this one though.

I have strong opinions and forums are for discussion, if someone doesn't want to be called on their posts, then they shouldn't be posting.
Besides, I enjoy decent discussion, usually I get some better understanding of whatever the topic is and learn a thing or two. Plus its always interesting to hear other people's opinions.
I also like expanding on points or topics people bring up sometimes, usually because I think of something particularly contentious that I'd like to hear other people's opinions on.

 

[homeforsummer]

It is all about the driver and that is all it can ever be about.

I couldn't disagree more.

The general public are incredibly partisan and only a proportion of that is down to the driver. Did the Tifosi love Schumacher because he was an excellent driver? Of course not, they loved him because he was driving a Ferrari, a bigger example of national pride in Italy than virtually anything else they're famous for. They would root for Schuey because he was driving the car symbolic of Italian motorsport.

You also seem to be ignoring the absolutely vast proportion of F1 news that's related to the cars themselves. If the sport was solely about the driver, then there wouldn't be controversies over aero, or regulations deciding on engine size and output, nor sponsors spending millions on getting the best section of the car on which to advertise, nor millions of people around the world seeing an F1 car as the pinnacle of automotive engineering or people like us buying F1 video games so we can drive those cars (not to drive as a particular driver).

The sport is not all about the driver. It never has been. There are legendary drivers for sure, but then there are legendary cars too, and at the end of the day, motorsport, at the dawn of it's conception, was invented to test which man's car was the quickest. Legendary drivers are simply a bi-product of a sport dedicated to making the quickest cars.