When was t/c allowed/banned in Formua 1?

[NeilBeforeZod]

I had thought that, as per article in Wikipedia, traction control was banned for 1994 season. I am also aware of the Benetton 'option 13' or whatever it was called, where they could turn on traction or launch control, which was always seen as dodgy.

I have just found for sale on PH classifieds the 1994 Benetton race car Schumacher used, which is described as being 'as it was in the day'. This car includes traction control option. If I am correct and t/c was banned for '94, why does this car have t/c fitted?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/951737.htm

Am I wrong or does this seem a touch naughty?

[german tony]

Stone me - if true that ought to set the cat amongt the pidgeons.

[flemke]

NeilBeforeZod said:

I had thought that, as per article in Wikipedia, traction control was banned for 1994 season. I am also aware of the Benetton 'option 13' or whatever it was called, where they could turn on traction or launch control, which was always seen as dodgy.

I have just found for sale on PH classifieds the 1994 Benetton race car Schumacher used, which is described as being 'as it was in the day'. This car includes traction control option. If I am correct and t/c was banned for '94, why does this car have t/c fitted?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/951737.htm

Am I wrong or does this seem a touch naughty?

That ad has been published in various places for the last year or more.
A cynic might say that the reason the car has TC fitted now is that it is indeed exactly "as it was in the day".

[35secToNuvolari]

Hmmm. It's possible that it has the original ecu and software, but I doubt it. Of the accounts I've read of ex-F1 cars, one usually re-programs an aftermarket ecu to get the reliability, power and options necessary for a less-than-F1-talent who'll use it for entertainment value.

[bobthemonkey]

I believe the official line was that the T/C system was a carryover in the ECU from when it was allowed, but was 'disabled' in the car for that year.

[andyps]

I don't think it would set the cat amongst the pigeons purely because the ad confirms what everybody always knew, but some preferred to turn a blind eye to. Or the advert falls short of ASA requirements

[german tony]

bobthemonkey said:

I believe the official line was that the T/C system was a carryover in the ECU from when it was allowed, but was 'disabled' in the car for that year.

It shouldn't have been there, period. Well, according to the FIA when they hauled Benetton up in front of the beak anyway.

[HereBeMonsters]

Wasn't traction control allowed up until last year? I thought it was active suspension that was banned in the early 90s?

[andyps]

HereBeMonsters said:

Wasn't traction control allowed up until last year? I thought it was active suspension that was banned in the early 90s?

In 1994 all driver aids were banned - active suspension, traction control, fully automatic gearboxes including CVT (wasn't being used but Williams were a long way down the line with development). Traction control was reintroduced because the FIA didn't feel they could police it thoroughly. But they can determine if a team spends more than £40m in a year.