manual gearbox for future F1 cars?

  • Thread starter Thread starter viper2788
  • 13 comments
  • 8,501 views
V

viper2788

Messages
51
Although i havent kept up with F1 my whole life, many people argue how its not as exciting anymore as technology replaces the driver's skills and how theres too much emphasis on the car nowadays... and i sort of agree. dont get me wrong, i have huge respect for all F1 drivers, current and past, but its a shame because i believe drivers today have a lot more to offer than what their cars allow them - not just for lap times, but rather relatively against each other.

you guys think theres any chance they may go back to manual transmissions to level the playing field a bit? not to bring back the past or anything, as we should still use current technology regarding aerodynamics, carbon fiber parts, drivers safety and everything else engineers have developed since the early 90s, but just the gearbox alone should go back to manual imo. i mean they got rid of traction control systems which was considered a "drivers aid," well arent automatics sequential gearboxes in the same ballpark?
 
It's not an automatic.. And for people who aren't that interested in F1 it may seem a bit boring, but the drivers are busy the whole time. Changing the braking balance before and after (every) corner(s), change the diff settings, KERS, DRS, play with fuel consumption (run it richer » faster laptimes, less fuel to complete the race). (Check F1 steeringwheels) Also engine RPM can be increased to overtake but this will adjust your fuel consumption too. As you see, the drivers have enough things to play with to try and overtake others. It's not only getting the fastest lap times, it's having a good and complete strategy for the whole race!

If you ever have the chance to drive a car with a flappy pedal gearbox, try to accelerate out of a corner as quickly as possible and then change a gear while doing that. The car will probably try to oversteer, imagine doing that with a F1 car, you'll crash.

Watch his left hand, adjusting the braking balance.



 
well, its just as "automatic" as a volkswagon in shiftronic mode... its just not mechanical and purely electronic where the driver pushes a button(or taps a paddle) as in a video game. also, as you mentioned with all the buttons on the steering wheel to control brake bias, air/fuel, KERS, etc, F1 racing has become more of a science where you think and plan with your head as opposed to a sport where you'd go by feel and instinct. again, this is relatively speaking compared to what F1 racing used to be.

the point im trying to make is that the sport can still remain "pure" despite the technological advances. and by pure i mean the sole concept of man and machine. now we have man, machine, computer, and chemistry. also, the use of KERS seems largely in part to support electric/hybird technology(big picture - mainly for off track purposes), and to me it just adds on another variable to what used to be a relatively simple sport, yet still very challenging.

just imagine if basketball was somehow altered to have the hoop vary in height throughout the game depending on who has the ball, or a ball that one can increase/decrease psi while in possession to change the rate of bounce, or different shoes with varying grip players must wear during the game... it would totally change the sport.

just as basketball has conceptually remained more or less the same for many decades, f1 racing has also been fairly consistent as well since the first races in the 50s all the way up to the early 90s. the introduction of electronics and computers have changed the sport dramatically, and it looks like its going to keep changing - for the worse imho.

i know this may seem like a rant, but as i mentioned earlier, i didnt watch formula 1 my whole life and got into it just 3-4 years ago.. and have enjoyed every bit of it so far. its just that somehow i feel a sense of nostalgia when i watch the older races. got me thinking they should bring back a good thing.
 
Hmmm I see your point. I don't know what I would like more.. DTM and V8 Aussie races are as pure as you can get I think.. Pretty much all the same cars(specs). Porsche cups are fun too but they have hybrid system now. I don't think there is a F1 like race wich is still so pure.

Check out A1 GP races, all the same cars and only 1 aid, wich is boost to overtake (they can use it limited times). Instead of teams like Red Bull, these teams are countries. Brazilian, Dutch, German etc.
 
I just skimmed over the topic, but if we're talking about wanting a clutch pedal and H-pattern stick shifter, then I just don't see it ever happening. It's just too primitive. It would be like having a modern motorsport using carburetors.
 
Formula 1 is about innovation and technology, personally I think this season has been a great watch so far I just refuse to believe that loosing manual gearboxes meant loosing the excitement from F1
 
IceMan PJN
I just skimmed over the topic, but if we're talking about wanting a clutch pedal and H-pattern stick shifter, then I just don't see it ever happening. It's just too primitive. It would be like having a modern motorsport using carburetors.
Click to expand...

I doubt it'll ever happen as well. However, just imagine todays high tech engine mounted to a mechanical shifter... I think it'll be an awesome combination without being too "primitive." Even a lot of todays supercars offer 6 sp manuals, although its probably just an "option" over the paddle shifters.
 
viper2788
However, just imagine todays high tech engine mounted to a mechanical shifter... I think it'll be an awesome combination without being too "primitive."
Click to expand...

I agree, it would be awesome if they brought this back. Carlos is totally right about why it won't happen though.
 
Lewis Hamilton ordered a Pagani Zonda 760, with manual gearbox... He's on the same page as you guys.. Although I doubt he wants manuel gearbox in his McLaren :D
 
Doesn't add or remove any skill? I guess you haven't seen how much an F1 drivers hand has to move off the the wheel in the 80's cars, and how much their feet will be moving around the pedals aswell.
 
and where would they put the gear stick, drivers are packed in tight theses days.
 

Latest Posts

Back