F1technical.net

1996 F310




1997 F310B




1998 F300




1999 F399




2000 F1-2000




2001 F2001




2002 F2002




2003 F2003GA




2004 F2004




2005 F2004M




2005 F2005




2006 248 F1




2007 F2007




2008 F2008

Common ECU

Amazing

The 2008 version seems to be a little step back compared with the 2007 version,
because the hughe display is gone.
I would prefer to have a good display where you can whatch the times the other guys are driving, than all those potis.

But I don't really get why they need so much potis.
And remember there are still some important ones behind
the wheel, as Kimi and Schumacher always switch something behind the wheel.

Has anyone got an image of one of the more recent wheels with a listing of what each button is for? I've got "Drink" and "Radio" figured out, but that's about it...lol

Have you guys noticed that Ferrari have the RPM lights on the top of the steering wheel and McLaren have theirs behind the wheel on the top of the 'tub'? That's why McLaren's is so much smaller, the top section dips down almost into where Ferrari has their #5 in the image above, IIRC. I personally prefer McLaren's approach, since then the lights don't move along with the steering wheel.

Thank you once again 'bar555', for your excellent work and contributions.

I am working on an analogous project about Mc Laren's steering Wheel evolution over years , but i would need some help to fullfil the task.

Please if you have images of Mc Laren's steering wheels mail them to me
(no matter the year , it doesn't matter ) .

The most interesting thing in my eye is that the driver has no possibility to see his own sector times, lap times and the gab to the driver in front and back to him.
So they must really look at the pit boars to get this information’s.

this year it seems that steering wheels are mucch smaller. i like the ones without displays, but with it build into the car (i.e RBR and mclarern).

First post has 1996-2008...

2009 F60

Featured KERS controls.

2010 F10

KERS controls removed.

Once again BAR555, you put out a masterpiece of work.

The evolution of the Ferrari wheel is interesting because it mirrors Michael Schumacher's career there, and reflects his preferences. During the period Schumacher was driving for Ferrari, the team designed and constructed the car based on his wishes. It's reasonable to assume the wheel evolution reflects his preferences. For instance, the display steadily increased in size, to finally disappear in 2008, the year after Michael left.

There are currently two competing philosophies in wheel design. Obviously the Ferrari wheel is huge, and has every bell and whistle built into it. The complete opposite are the red Bull or McLaren wheels (as mentioned previously) that have as much crap removed from the wheel and located elsewhere. Quality of display and a lot of driver interaction versus minimal display, less distraction for the driver, and mechanically simpler.

DaveKillens wrote:...For instance, the display steadily increased in size, to finally disappear in 2008, the year after Michael left.

...

He left in 2006. And I've associated the display going from a square/rectangle to a wide rectangle with the removal of TC, but I don't have any concrete evidence.

And the SECU also had an effect:

WhiteBlue wrote:2004 electronics were virtually unrestricted. Today all teams use MES standard ECUs which allows a certain functionality which is defined in narrow limits. Teams can parametrize functions which is done by engineers uploading maps and by drivers by using dials and switches. With the SECU much needs to be done by the driver which used to be automated. This is why we see so many dials on modern steering wheels compared to then.

DaveKillens wrote:McLaren wheels

It is very similar to Ferrari since Newey left.

Are there any images of the instrument panel in the cockpit (before they were put on the steering wheel)

The Ferrari F10 steering wheel and it´s functions explained in some detail.

http://www.formula1movies.com/video/T6H ... wheel.html

from the "old era"

1994 Ferrari 412 T1B Formula 1 dashboard