Introduction of sequential gearbox in Formula One

[axelthorpe]

Here is a pic from the cockpit of the Matra MS120D from 1972

It sure looks like a sequential gear lever, but I'm no expert

And another cockpit pic of the McLaren M19A (1971-73)


/Axl

Pics belongs to http://www.gurneyflap.com (great page btw)

[Tom]

I'd be amazed if these were sequaential, Williams didn't use Sequential till 1992 and Benatton till 1993

[zac510]

It doesn't need to have a physical gate on the lever to be a H-pattern.

The clue in the gear lever is its ability to move left-right to engage gears.

[Huck]

Interesting question. I have found some references to sequential gearboxes tried for some old F1 cars, like Lotus 79 and Ferrari 126C, but it seems that they were rarely used, and mostly for trial runs. Many top teams like McLaren and Williams were still using regular manual gearboxes in 1990-91, a couple of years after Ferrari introduced the paddle gearbox.

It seems that Formula One did not use manual sequential transmission on a large scale, it went directly to semi-automatic paddle gearboxes in early 90s. Also from what I read it appears that the only shift aid used to some degree in F1 before the 90s was the clutchless upshift for some close ratio gearboxes.

[axelthorpe]

Interesting question. I have found some references to sequential gearboxes tried for some old F1 cars, like Lotus 79 and Ferrari 126C, but it seems that they were rarely used, and mostly for trial runs. Many top teams like McLaren and Williams were still using regular manual gearboxes in 1990-91, a couple of years after Ferrari introduced the paddle gearbox.

It seems that Formula One did not use manual sequential transmission on a large scale, it went directly to semi-automatic paddle gearboxes in early 90s. Also from what I read it appears that the only shift aid used to some degree in F1 before the 90s was the clutchless upshift for some close ratio gearboxes.

Thanks

That's exactly what I wanted to know, and confirms both what has been said in this thread by zac510 and others, and what I have suspected for awhile now.

I just took for granted that a technically advanced motorsport as Formula One would have used sequential gearboxes earlier than the 90's. But then again, I don't know much about the evolution of the racing car gearbox. For example, if and when did they start to use them in say WSC or FIA GT? And that's just a rhetorical question people


Thanks again all!
/Axl

[F1 Observer]

I am relying on a shaky memory - but here goes:

The first "effective" sequential was John Barnard with the Ferrari 640. He introduce paddle changes - BUT AFIK the gearbox mechanism at that time was traditional with selector forks, but there were complex hydraulics moving the whole lot around.

NOW - can anyone verify this...........I think that Jordan was the first to use a truly sequential gearbox (i.e. like a motorcycle box with a drum and pawl activating the gears).

I have that same impression...It was the 1989 Ferrari, designed by Barnard, to the disposal of Gerhard Berger and Nigel Mansell.

[Scuderia Topolino]

I believe one of the very first uses of a "direct shift gearbox" may have been in the Brabham BT series cars, powered by BMW Turbo motors.

It is my understanding that Pete Weissman of Weissman Transmissions designed a "clutchless" shift transmission in which all gear ratios were in constant mesh and engagement occurred with dogs locking in one gearset to the exclusion of the other. This was a true sequential design.

Its downfall was that the advent of "interruptor" electronic systems systems, capable of momentarily releasing the torque, had not occurred. Thus it was VERY hard on the engagement dogs.

Unfortunately, Pete never took out any patents on his design and several years later, when the appropriate electronics were available, Ferrari was reported to have utilized an almost identical arrangement, with much success.

Weissman Transmissions has survived and is still doing innovative work under the direction of Pete's sons. Today they build championship winning outdrives for offshore power boats. Ever the innovators, they came up with a 2-speed outdrive, only the have the rule makers legislate it out of existence a few years later.

Regards,

Scuderia Topolino

[alleyoop]

I agree with RH1300S: Barnard's Ferrari 639 had a traditional gearbox driven by hydraulics actuators, but - if my memory doesn't fail here - the first opposition's hydraulic activated gearbox was Williams' truly sequential (motorcycle type as RH1300S says)

Ale

[RH1300S]

I think I've found it................

Jordan 192 - quote from Gary Anderson - which places the car in 1992

"The weight saved will be useful when the team begins to experiment with its planned semi-automatic gearbox. The gearbox in the 192 is a new seven-speed design, but can be fitted with an electronic change in the future.

'The seven-speed 'box gives us the opportunity to exploit the Yamaha power band,' says Anderson' and now that the cars are going a lot faster at circuits like Hockenheim and Monza, there is a need to have available a semi-overdrive gear.

'The gearbox has a drum type change, which is mechanically operated. It seems quite good. When we ran the car for the first our standard gearchange on Yamaha logging equipment was 0.23 of a second, on this car it was 0.11sec. That seems quite a good step forward. We are looking at an electronic gearchnage but really it depends on how much money Eddie has got in the bank"

Drum type change (I hope ) means sequential.....................

Although, if Ale is correct about the Williams 'box - that would make theirs 1991

[zac510]

Yes, drum is sequential.
The tracks in the drum actuate the gear forks as the drum rotates.

[zac510]

Yes, drum is sequential.
The tracks in the drum actuate the gear forks as the drum rotates.

[RH1300S]

Extract from Peter Windsor - Autocar June, 1979

"Villeneuve goes out in the work-horse. It's wired up with sensors to measure tyre temperatures, engine temperatures and rear wing pressure - and, as well, it is fitted with Ferrari's automatic gearbox. Well, semi-automatic. There are two buttons on the steering wheel - one for upchanges, one for down. Villeneuve accelerates out in first, the revs soar in neutral - and he trickles slowly round to park the car in the pits. "Transmission problems.""

Interesting................