How automatic is an F1 transmission?

[RDMcG]

No idea why I do not know this, but does the driver do 100% of the shifting? I was thinking of this when pootling around in a PDK Porsche in traffic, when I just let it do the work.
OK, so unlikely to be conventionally auto, but what is the level of driver assist?

[Megaflow]

It isn't. Auto shift is banned by the rules.

[RDMcG]

Megaflow said:

It isn't. Auto shift is banned by the rules.

..well can you miss a downshift?

[Durzel]

No driver assist. If they didn't change gear they'd bounce off the electronic limiter.

I would hazard a guess that the electronics would also stop any downshift that would buzz the engine. As it's paddle operated it's not like they can skip gears or force it in gear.

[AlexS]

Durzel said:

No driver assist. If they didn't change gear they'd bounce off the electronic limiter.

I would hazard a guess that the electronics would also stop any downshift that would buzz the engine. As it's paddle operated it's not like they can skip gears or force it in gear.

One of the reasons why paddle shifts were retained when driver aids were banned. The fact that engines couldn't be buzzed by wrong downshifts or missed shifts reduces the cost from replacing engines.

[Munter]

A few years ago they were auto down shifting I believe. Drivers were not happy about them doing it mid corner.... Then they got rid of that also.

[Mikey G]

Didnt they used to have a button that changed from 6-7th gear down to 2nd on a pre programmed downshift?
Dont think they have it anymore.

[weyland yutani]

yeah I think the '94 Benetton had that, I'm sure I saw an onboard of Schumacher hitting a single button in heavy braking zones to change down from top gear through to 1st or 2nd gear.

[Scuffers]

Mikey G said:

Didnt they used to have a button that changed from 6-7th gear down to 2nd on a pre programmed downshift?
Dont think they have it anymore.

they certainly used to, not sure if any still do?

difference between F1 boxes and more common sequentials is that they can 'block' shift, as they don't have a cam barrel/disk doing the 'selection'

[TheArchitect]

AFAIK All shifts have to be initiated by the driver now so no auto shifting at all. I think this is where Mclaren got the down shifting idea for the 12C by holding the down paddle and the car shifts for you to optimise braking.

[MGJohn]

The first time I ever heard what appeared to my ears to be a "seamless" gear change in a Formula 1 car was at Spanish GP at Jarama about 1974. Ronnie Petersen was in an 'experimental' Lotus which was separated from the rest of the field so you could hear the engine note change as he accelerated out of the last bend onto the long straight. To my ears, there was no perceptible gap between shifts. I was impressed to hear that 'seamless' sequence of gear changes.

IIRC, it was the first race win for a certain N. Lauda in the red car..

[VladD]

RDMcG said:

Megaflow said:

It isn't. Auto shift is banned by the rules.

..well can you miss a downshift?

You can if you go to flick the paddle and miss it.

Regarding multiple downshifting, I think a few years ago they used the in car GPS to know where they were on the circuit and could program what gear they wanted to end up in. One flick would then take you down to the preprogramed gear. For different corners different gear selections could be used.

[thetrash]

AlexS said:

One of the reasons why paddle shifts were retained when driver aids were banned. The fact that engines couldn't be buzzed by wrong downshifts or missed shifts reduces the cost from replacing engines.

I thought it was two hands on the wheel at all times were safer.

[Scuffers]

thetrash said:

AlexS said:

One of the reasons why paddle shifts were retained when driver aids were banned. The fact that engines couldn't be buzzed by wrong downshifts or missed shifts reduces the cost from replacing engines.

I thought it was two hands on the wheel at all times were safer.

and they always have two hands on the wheel now do they?

[thetrash]

Scuffers said:

and they always have two hands on the wheel now do they?

Not anymore smartarse!