McLaren Paddle Shift

[donskar]

From the PlanetF1 forum. RE: McL multi-paddle wheel:

In case anyone's still not sure how the steering wheel works or what the paddles look like, there are actually six of them. Note the the two upper right hand side paddles which are so close together it's hardly worth calling them two separate paddles. The driver just treats them as one paddle and pulls them both at the same time, changing gear and the corresponding torque setting simultaneously.

I have no position on this - just thought it might be interesting.

[mx_tifoso]

Another picture, from Jerez testing but closer and at another angle.

[ss.vamsikrishna]

Hello hi guys,
Now it is really confusing, first of all i thought f1 cars gear shifts are
seamless you just press the paddles like DSG or steptronic gear changes happens
automatically .F1 drivers dont have to press clutch right
And also please explain how the engine mapping works ???does those paddles
turn or change predefined engine maps in ECU of the car by turning down the rpm
or turning down the cylinders ???somehow bringing down BHP.
Can you please explain both the points

[modbaraban]

Those clutch paddles are only used when you need to have the car in gear at standstill to start without spinning the wheels e.g. at race start, pitstops etc. They are not used during the course of a normal lap. And it was exactly the same a few years ago when these sequential gearboxes were non-seamless.

And also please explain how the engine mapping works ???does those paddles
turn or change predefined engine maps in ECU of the car by turning down the rpm
or turning down the cylinders ???

Not sure if anyone outside McLaren actually knows exactly what they do, but I assume they might switch engine maps as you just mentioned.

Also they may be some controls that were taken off the steering wheel to improve ergonomics, that were the problem with Maccas recently. Just a thought. Oh, and those could change FM radio stations as well. As I said earlier, Lewis was probably busy doing just that exiting the pitlane at Montreal

[WhiteBlue]

The regulations do not allow to change engine mapping automatically with gear changes. So McLaren have designed this double action paddle. Now the driver simultaneously gives gear change and torque change command. It is simply a workaround to have gear specific automatic torque settings.

[zac510]

Same as having a knob on the steering wheel, but easier to use..

[bazanaius]

I'm almost 100% sure LH has kiss FM through his headphones during a race btw...

[McMacca]

So while LH is tuning from radio 2 over to Kiss FM, and Heikki is fumbling with the pit limiter on the start / finish straight, is there anyone with any idea of how many engine maps would be practical, I mean I would think 7 (one for each gear) would be way too complicated. Probably 3 or 4 maps would be all thats required. lets say
1. Start
2. Low Range
3. Mid Range (maybe)
4. High Range
Thats what I'd Want as a driver anyway.

[Conceptual]

For muscle-memory sake, it would be best to have 7 mappings for 7 gears. Having to remember to hit both paddles every OTHER up/down shift would make much more complication than is necessary.

I can also see Ferrari and BMW having these for Hungary, and Williams, STR and RBR having them by Belgium.

As long as all teams are allowed to follow this example, then it is fair, and I have no problems with it.

Chris

[kekekeke]

Here is an onboard from Australia. McLaren has had this system since the start of the season. Only now that they are regularly beating Ferrari, everyone makes a fuss out of it.


credit: archstanton autosport forum

[Carlos]

The regs don't allow the activation of both gear selection and torque mapping with the same control - so this system separates it into 2 functions. In a slow corner with a low gear you can select a low torque mapping to prevent wheel spin and in a high speed corner, in a high gear - you can choose a high torque mapping for extra acceleration. If it gives 1/10 a second per lap - that's a big advantage.

[Conceptual]

Anyone think that it is possible that the FIA may step in and only allow a single engine map for the entire race? Now that they have the SECU, they could enforce it.

This is one of those things that if everyone does it, they would be better off to simply allow for the map change with the gear shift.

Once everyone has a work around to the rule in place, then the rule itself is moot.

Chris

[bazanaius]

I agree that I don't think the steering wheel is the source of their speed (I think this is engine lubricant based, like Ferrari), but I guess there's every chance of it being 'tuned' over time to how the driver wants it. I guess they hit a sweet spot with just about every part of LH setup last weekend, and with the added power from the lubicrants, that made an astonishingly quick car.

It is interesting to see that the paddles have only been noted now they're quick tho

[ESPImperium]

Intresting, that may be accredited to the McLarens superior acceleration out of corners (esp, turn 4 at Hockenhim-ring where Hamilton just looked glued when passing Masa and Piquet in the final stages) and has more of a performance advantage arround twister tracks.

I have a feeling this will get outlawed soon as it may be a "legal" form of traction control at the moment, having a low torque map on exit and having a higher torque map on entry.

The ruling will read like this: "all engine maps have to be adjustable via a rotary switch on the steering wheel" just to make shure that its outlawed.

Infact, i belive that there should be about 5 engine maps only, one for each tyre compound, one for the start that gets changed in the first 2 laps into a race.

The fact there could be a diffrent map per gear is a good call as im looking at the BMW Sauber F1.08 sheering wheel at the moment, and there are arround 12 engine maps, 12 clutch maps and 12 fuel mixture settings.

I feel that this could be cut down to a maximum of 5 or 6 maps by the FIA, or engine maps will just get plain outlawed.

[gcdugas]

It has come to my attention that this is far less new than we think. Some in car shots from Fernando last year show the "extra" levers and this was well before the std. ECU with the TC ban.