The steering wheel is one of the most visible demonstrations of technological innovation in Formula One. Below is a guide to the complex steering wheel on the Ferrari F60.
The controls are identified with numbers and letters and some are also grouped together with their colour. For example, the grey controls deal with the adjustment of the front wing flap; the FFA and F+/F- switches (24, 27) selects how many degrees you want to change and the F button (1) at the top on the left then activates the change.
The red P button (9) is the pit lane speed limiter (100km/h during the race) and E (18) is the engine kill switch. Communication with the team is critical and the yellow radio button (13) is for driver to pit conversations. Not only do the buttons on the steering wheel operate technical apparatus on the car, but the drink button (25) operates the drink bottle for the driver.
The driver also has control over the engine torque (21) and fuel mix (6). This means he can alter the output of the engine and the fuel to air ratio depending on the situation. Especially important in 2009, the driver also has control over the engine rev limit (4), helping the team to look after the engines for the season.
One of the most dramatic changes in 2009 has been the introduction of KERS. The driver manages the ‘charge cycle’ through the silver dial (12) before activating the ‘boost cycle’ with the K button (10).
The digital display at the top of the steering wheel (5) shows the driver a selection of information, such as speed, split time and engine revs. The menu scroll (28) allows the driver to alter the information shown.
The levers on the back of the steering wheel operate the gears. The upshift is on the left (30) and the downshift on the right (11), with the clutches (26, 15) beside them.
The layout of the steering wheel is constantly evolving and is often subject to driver preference. In a sport where hundredths of a second can make the difference, a selection mistake can be very costly.
