Why F1 steering wheels have over 20 buttons – and what they all do
F1 technology
F1 steering wheels serve an obvious and important function. But F1 drivers use them to do much more than just point the car in the right direction.
This year designers have had to squeeze in buttons for Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems and Drag Reduction Systems along with the usual array of toggles, switches and levers.
Now F1 is being broadcast in high definition it’s easier for us to see what the driver’s up to at the wheel.
This video from Mercedes gives an introduction to some of the settings their drivers have to tweak while they’re on the move:
Here’s a closer look at Sauber’s steering wheel and what their drivers have to control while lapping at over 200mph:
Sauber steering wheel
| Button | Function |
| N | Puts gearbox into neutral |
| B | Activates Kinetic Energy Recovery System |
| Oil | Activates supplementary oil tank for engine |
| KRec (dial) | KERS recovery setting |
| Ack / Yes | Acknowledge to confirm set-up changes. Also used when the driver’s radio is not working properly to indicate a ‘Yes’ response |
| Probl/No | Sets a marker in the telemetry to indicate a problem was encountered. Also used when the driver’s radio is not working properly to indicate a ‘No’ response |
| Entry / Prel / Visco (dials) | Change differential settings for corner entry, pre-load and corner exit |
| MFRS (dial) | Multifunctional Rotary Switch (centre dial) which controls various settings. Used in conjunction with + and – buttons to change options |
| PL | Turn pit lane speed limiter on/off |
| BP | Find clutch bite point |
| W | Activates Drag Reduction System |
| R | Radio |
| Pedal (dial) | Change throttle pedal map |
| Box | Used when the driver’s radio is not working properly to indicate the driver is coming into the pits |
| D | Drink bottle |
| Krel (dial) | KERS release setting |
| RPM | RPM limiter |
| Tyre | Adjust electronics to suit different tyres |
| Left gear paddle | Shift down a gear |
| Right gear paddle | Shift up a gear |
| Lower levers | Clutch |
In addition to the various controls, drivers also receive information via the lights on the steering wheel.
On the Sauber steering wheel the displays are:
- RPM indicator (upper LEDs)
- FIA flag signals (left and right LEDs)
- Gear selection (centre LED)
- Speed and sector times / MFRS options (left and right screens)
On some cars, such as the Red Bull, this display cluster is mounted behind the steering wheel.
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Image © Sauber F1 Team
Jev said on 25th April 2011, 3:44
don’t forghet to add: restart, replay, save, garage, and quick setting button. or is that GT5?
anyway, i prefer simplicity, but my car steering wheel also has lots of button on and around the wheel (audio system, cruise control, lights, etc). i never drive above 200mph tho…
Halifax Web Development said on 19th May 2011, 21:22
Very cool – wow that’s a lot of buttons to press at 200 KM/h!!
Nico Schweinzer said on 20th May 2011, 13:31
Actually funny that people call it steeringWHEEL. Nothing of it reminds me of a wheel anymore ;-)
Luke said on 22nd May 2011, 22:44
Loving the secrecy about the back side of the wheel!
cyrus said on 23rd May 2011, 9:43
i wish there’s a steering wheel full set
cyrus said on 23rd May 2011, 9:47
like it :) 8)
cyrus said on 23rd May 2011, 9:52
O:)
MclarenBoy said on 1st September 2011, 12:44
Nico says in the begging of the video that its his steering wheel but at the end he says he has to go give it to Michael because its Michael’s. :D. BK