Mclarens 4 Paddle Steering Wheel

[Jez 0]

McLaren have recently been using steering wheels with 4 paddles, rather than the usual two. The 'telegraph' have reported that, while the upper paddles are used for conventional up and downshifting, the additional levers allow the driver to select a different engine mapping, independently from the gear shifting.

The currently used standard engine control unit enable to teams to program a number of predefined engine mappings, optimising traction or driveability in different conditions or at different speeds. The new system enables the driver to change gears and simultaneously change to a different engine mapping by pulling the paddles at the same time. Most importantly, it looks to be allowed by current regulations as these only stipulate that engine mappings can only be changed by the driver. Any automatic change acting upon a gear shift is forbidden.

Already considered a manual traction control system, the drivers have not the ability to effectively limit wheel spin when accelerating out of slow corners while not reducing power at higher speeds. When finally considered legal by the FIA, Ferrari is likely to be quick and copy the system to recover from their current performance deficit.

So what are peoples thoughts on this? Is it a real advantage? Should it be illegal?

[HandyNZL 1]

Typical Aussie - you're behind on the threads...though typical Euro-trash they used a misleading topic heading

Check out "could this be it", Jez

[Jez 0]

Ahhh, thanks Handy.

Stoopid non descript thread titles...

[schumi13 0]

It looks like it's a real advantage and I think Ferrari will be first to get clarification on whether it is in the rules or not. I'm guessing from the extract above that it is in the rules in which case it will be copied.

[DOF_power 0]

6 paddles flappy paddle gearbox.

[maure 1]

So what are peoples thoughts on this? Is it a real advantage? Should it be illegal?

If it ddn't give an advantage, it wouldn't be in the car.

Is it legal? So said FIA when they approved it. In principle, then, it is within regulations.

Should it be illegal? No and regardless of what it actually does. I, for one, am against regulations that limit innovation.

[DOF_power 0]

That's why I didn't aprove with the TC ban, somebody always finds a way of putting it back. Now the McMerc have 0.3-0.5 advantage per lap on dry and even more on wet with all other drivers wishing they'd have this too.

Banning electronics only separates the have got's (who put it back) from the have not's thus reducing the role of the drivers.

[shampion 0]

That's why I didn't aprove with the TC ban, somebody always finds a way of putting it back. Now the McMerc have 0.3-0.5 advantage per lap on dry and even more on wet with all other drivers wishing they'd have this too.

Banning electronics only separates the have got's (who put it back) from the have not's thus reducing the role of the drivers.

I agree ... although as you just said "somebody always finds a way of putting it back."

That inspires new technology to be developed.

[maure 1]

I agree ... although as you just said "somebody always finds a way of putting it back."

That inspires new technology to be developed.

It could only be new technology if it didn't exist already... which is not the case now. TC technology existed.

Nonetheless, sure, they did find _another_ way to implement existing technology... which is innovative but defies the ruling against it in the first place. After all, even if what was banned was how TC was specifically put together, the _intention_ was to prevent the use of TC in the first place.

I find it suprising that F1 fans don't complain about the racing cars on the grid these days. Without restrictions (except safety, open c#ckpits, and ground power), far superior racing cars could be built...

[Argento Reloaded 1]

Hey guys tell Ron to give the new steering wheel to Kovi...

I think is a good example of lateral thinking, always happen when the rules change... someone find out a new answer to the new restrictions. But be careful Lewis had a difficult relationship with steering wheels comands... and this new model seems a little bit more difficult than the former!

We

[HandyNZL 1]

TC was computer controlled. Pinky paddles are driver controlled. People wanted the drivers to be more in control of their own cars. They have this with the pinky paddles. Its NOT traction control.

[kuskor 0]

So now we do a couple laps in first practice and use telemetry to see how much torque the wheels can take out of each corner, program the engine maps on a 10-step manetino, one engine map for each corner, allowing full throttle out of each corner and one more lever for the straights. We can then talk about full control to the driver, 10 engine map changes a lap. The system is not that complicated, so I say let it stay until everyone develops it, Mclaren deserves to benefit from their innovation. We have seen brake balance adjustments and fuel mixture adjustments before, so in principle it is legal. Ban it next year when everyone has it.

[DOF_power 0]

TC was computer controlled. Pinky paddles are driver controlled. People wanted the drivers to be more in control of their own cars. They have this with the pinky paddles. Its NOT traction control.

Not quite, there was a TC switch with 9 settings on the steering wheel.

[HandyNZL 1]

yeah - 9 settings of varying computer controlled traction

[DOF_power 0]

As opposed to what ?!

[maure 1]

As opposed to what ?!

He doesn't get it because his point is other... if Ferrari were on the "paddle" rather than McLaren, he would be screaming murder.

Still, it's good to see that McLaren got around the restriction... if that is what has happened. The joke is that it will again be banned as soon as other teams put it in. The ECU won't be a mystery forever, after all, and soon all teams will be able to get around it...

[DOF_power 0]

But why waste so much time and energy and stratify the field when everyone could have had TC just like last year ?!

And after this will get banned, how long till the next TC ?!

It's almost as dumb as with the aero/downforce issue, it's just get more expensive and time consuming, but it won't go away or go down.

Forget about it, modern f1 cars have downforce and electronics and that's just how things are, and no the driver won't make more a part of the ecuation then 20-30%.

[maure 1]

I know what you mean. There is no reason to think that the current implementation is any better.. although it is clearly more sneaky. Innovation to get around regulation rather than innovation to get better cars... the humor of it.

With the roulette season we are having and with the changes in regulations almost from race to race, it is impossible not to feel we are in a transition period and that there remains a chance for things to get straigthen out eventually. Mosley, Ecclestone, FB, RD, FW, etc, are on their way out sooner than later (I suspect death before retirement in some cases). Perhaps young blood will move the sport in the right direction.

All else failing, the more F1 turns to crap, the more room there is for another series to take its place.

[bobertoq 0]

Hi, I'm new here...

Anyways, I think it should be legal. Any more FIA restrictions and regulations would be... It's a great idea though, sounds like it could be a small advantage.

[Jez 0]

Welcome aboard Bobertoq!

[5P33D3V1L 0]

That's why I didn't aprove with the TC ban, somebody always finds a way of putting it back. Now the McMerc have 0.3-0.5 advantage per lap on dry and even more on wet with all other drivers wishing they'd have this too.

Banning electronics only separates the have got's (who put it back) from the have not's thus reducing the role of the drivers.

You say that,

but to win you need to be innovating and inventing new technology.

Thats why Mclaren are winning.

Ferrari were winning when they developed new technology no one else had.

This is the highest form of motosport in the world,

so seeing clever technology and innovation should be praised,

rather than "banned".

[DOF_power 0]

You say that,

but to win you need to be innovating and inventing new technology.

Thats why Mclaren are winning.

Ferrari were winning when they developed new technology no one else had.

This is the highest form of motosport in the world,

so seeing clever technology and innovation should be praised,

rather than "banned".

By no means do I want this system banned.

The issue is that this can be made cheaper and without controversy by simply allowing TC and letting the electronics suppliers deal with the costs instead of making it yet another inhouse cost and yet another controversial issue.

[mikathegreat2 2]

You say that,

but to win you need to be innovating and inventing new technology.

Some days you wish Lotus were still in F1!