Cockpit circuit plans
Discussion
RichB said:
Surely they could have a head-up display on the inside of theor visior which corresponds ot a similar display on a smart phone held by the engineer as they converse?
Isn't that rather akin to developing a zero gravity underwater pen that writes at any angle, altitude or wetness, rather than taking a pencil?silverthorn2151 said:
That seems rather low tech bearing in mind all the telemetery they have, and why have it stuck inside where the engineer can't see it very well?
the engineer has one on his notepad - but the driver can't see it there... 
as above, it's basically for corner numbers so they're talking about the same part of the track.
I find it hard to accept that every car has one on the inside right panel simply so the driver can point to things he wants to talk about with his engineer. I suspect that grand prix drivers can remember the circuits pretty well.
Or indeed as an aide memoire when phoning the AA....

These cars are more complex than the space shuttle and the teams have carbon fibre this and carbon fibre that to use around the car when it's in the pits which makes me think they would have something more sophisticated for use between driver and engineer.
Besides, for every car to have one in the same position smacks to me of regulation.
Or indeed as an aide memoire when phoning the AA....
These cars are more complex than the space shuttle and the teams have carbon fibre this and carbon fibre that to use around the car when it's in the pits which makes me think they would have something more sophisticated for use between driver and engineer.
Besides, for every car to have one in the same position smacks to me of regulation.
i don't think it's unreasonable at all - i've been round several tracks and find my way after 2-3 laps but even by the end of the day, i wouldn't be able to immediately recall the corner numbers past the first or second corner. if chatting in the paddock someone started talking about corner 9, it would take me a while to figure it out... and so what if the cars are sophisticated, the engineers still write stuff down on a piece of paper.
it also just avoids confusion around numbering with chicanes and bent straights.
it also just avoids confusion around numbering with chicanes and bent straights.
Edited by skinny on Thursday 22 September 10:45
Mr Sparkle said:
Pencil in space? Lots of little conductive carbon bits floating into eyes & circuits!

The Russian space agency uses pencils (NASA spent over $1million developing a space ballpoint pen)
Less chance of (bits of carbon) in space as dropping your pencil isn't the fatal mistake it is on Earth due to microgravity :-)
skinny said:
i don't think it's unreasonable at all - i've been round several tracks and find my way after 2-3 laps but even by the end of the day, i wouldn't be able to immediately recall the corner numbers past the first or second corner. if chatting in the paddock someone started talking about corner 9, it would take me a while to figure it out... and so what if the cars are sophisticated, the engineers still write stuff down on a piece of paper.
it also just avoids confusion around numbering with chicanes and bent straights.
But, with respect, you're not a grand prix driver. Let us assumme that there needs to be a discussion between engineer and driver, and Lewis or Jenson want to tell the engineer that there is an issue at a particular point on the circuit I don't believe they are going to refer to a small circuit plan tucked under the drivers arm. it also just avoids confusion around numbering with chicanes and bent straights.
Edited by skinny on Thursday 22 September 10:45
Not seen them mounted on the wheel, but why would you? Similarly why put them on the dash. It's not like you will be looking at when you are driving.
And whatever the reason, a plan on a clipboard held in front of a driver would be much easier to use.
My own view is that this is some sort of historic regulation as i can see no reason for it in a modern racing car whatsoever.
scubadude said:
The Russian space agency uses pencils (NASA spent over $1million developing a space ballpoint pen)
Less chance of (bits of carbon) in space as dropping your pencil isn't the fatal mistake it is on Earth due to microgravity :-)
oh dear : http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.aspLess chance of (bits of carbon) in space as dropping your pencil isn't the fatal mistake it is on Earth due to microgravity :-)
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