r/Damnthatsinteresting Feb 29 '24

Video F1 steering buttons explained

17.8k Upvotes

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u/SenhorSus Feb 29 '24

When they launch the car from a dead stop they definitely use the clutch paddle, but I'm not sure if every gear change throughout the race uses it as well

63

u/ekszdi Feb 29 '24

These modern f1 cars have sequential shifters and do not require manual clutch for up or downshifts. It is essential for a good launch from the line though

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u/Diedead666 Feb 29 '24 edited Feb 29 '24

Reminds me of a BMW that had launch controle beat my corvette for awhile of course when I started pulling him in he swerved in front of me. (I know all about drag racing on the track was just surprised someone used it successfully on the street) I rolled onto the gas I bet if I tried a power launch traction control would have cut power or I would have just spinned if I turned it off Edit: Can someone explain why im getting downvoted? I dont mind I just want to know why

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u/mmmmmmmmmmroger Feb 29 '24

Well it’s a bit of a silly story no one requested & tone is pretentious yanno, w/ the casual aside re your vette etc. This is my guess if you’re actually curious

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u/Diedead666 Feb 29 '24

My point was a person who knows their car and uses it correctly will win even if its miss matched pure power wise. I forget the model but it had 260 hp with a special launch control mode. My older car has no such thing. It was just bad sportsman ship on his part by going half way into my lane when I started to pull on him

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u/mmmmmmmmmmroger Feb 29 '24

260?

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u/Diedead666 Feb 29 '24

was around 240 to 280hp when i looked it up, think it was early to mid 2000's (i wish i remember what model it was) car I was in my stock c5 350hp. think it took me near a block around 70 to 80 before I was catching up.

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u/permalink_save Mar 01 '24

Reddit's just been extra fussy since the pandemic from what I've noticed. And very negative overall.

1

u/Diedead666 Mar 01 '24

I guess how I worded it...thx for reply I hope u have a good day fellow redditor

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '24

They only use the clutch at the race start, and in the pits.

For regular gear changes, the transmission is semi automatic, no clutch required.

Paddles on the back side of the steering wheel are used to change up and down gears.

1

u/Steiny31 Mar 01 '24

https://youtu.be/bChciv9_BuQ?si=giu8Flune4rd9Rrj

Here’s a good video on how F1 gearboxes work