The traction control saga shows quite a few similarities with what is happening. Here are some excerpt from the FIA statement 29th juli 1994:
On race day (1st May 1994), each of the teams [Mclaren, Ferrari and Benetton] was requested to supply the source code for the software on board the car and schematic circuit diagrams of the electrical system. One team [Ferrari] complied in full with this request and a demonstration of the complete electrical system was set up with entirely satisfactory results. Having received nothing from the other two teams [McLaren and Benetton], a fax was sent on 9th May asking for urgent action.
An alternative suggestion was received from Benetton Formula Ltd. In this letter dated 10th May, they stated the source codes could not be made available for commercial reasons. In a fax to Benetton Formula dated 15th May, we accepted this proposal, on the condition that Article 2.6 of the Technical Regulations was satisfied. On 27th May we received a detailed program for the demonstration at Cosworth Engineering.
The tests which were scheduled to take place on 28th June were canceled, by Benetton, after some discussion between Ford and themselves concerning non-disclosure agreements. By a fax dated 28th June, we again requested the tests take place as a matter of urgency. The demonstration and tests took place on 6th July. We received a report from LDRA on 11th July which left a number of unanswered questions which we were advised could only be addressed by close examination of the source code.
In a letter to Benetton dated 13th July we made it clear the demonstration had been unsatisfactory and we required the source code for the software. Following another exchange of letters on the 13th and 14th July a meeting was set up at the Benetton factory on 19th July, an agenda for which was received on 18th July which gave our advisors full access to all the source code, but only on Benetton’s premises and subject to the instructions [from Benetton].”
“Analysis of this software, which had been used at the San Marino Grand Prix, revealed that it included a facility called ‘launch control’. This is a system which, when armed, allows the driver to initiate a start with a single action. The system will control the clutch, gear shift and engine speed fully automatically to a predetermined pattern.
Benetton stated that this system is used only during testing. Benetton further stated that “it (the system) can only be switched on by recompilation of the code”. This means recompilation of the source code. Detailed analysis by the LDRA experts of this complex code revealed that this statement was untrue. “Launch control” could in fact be switched on using a lap-top personal computer (PC) connected to the gearbox control unit (GCU).
When confronted with this information, the Benetton representatives conceded that it was possible to switch on the ‘launch control’ using a lap-top PC but indicated that the availability of this feature of the software came as a surprise to them.”
“In order to enable ‘launch control’, a particular menu with ten options has to be selected on the PC screen. ‘Launch control’ is not visibly listed as an option. The menu was so arranged that, after ten items, nothing further appeared. If however, the operator scrolled down the menu beyond the tenth listed option, to option 13, launch control can be enabled, even though this is not visible on the screen. No satisfactory explanation was offered for this apparent attempt to conceal the feature.”
“Two conditions had to be satisfied before the computer would apply ‘launch control’: First, the software had to be enabled either by recompiling the code, which would take some minutes, or by connecting the lap-top PC as outlined above, which could be done in a matter of seconds.
Secondly, the driver had to work through a particular sequence of up-down gear shift paddle positions, a specific gear position had to be selected and the clutch and throttle pedals had also to be in certain positions. Only if all these actions were carried out would the ‘launch control’ become available.
Having thus initiated ‘launch control’, the driver would be able to make a fully automatic start. Such a start is clearly a driver aid as it operates the clutch, changes gear and uses traction control by modulating engine power (by changing ignition or fuel settings), in response to wheel speed.
When asked why, if this system was only used in testing, such an elaborate procedure was necessary in order to switch it on, we were told it was to prevent it being switched on accidentally.”
Take out of it what you will.
