manual gearboxes in F1
Discussion
They (as in the FIA and the teams, unanimously) decided a few years ago that the semi-automatic gearbox was one of the distinctive technological features of F1 that people (not necessarily one-eyed fanboys) appreciate and associate with F1, thus removing it would be a step backwards for that aspect.
What purpose does it serve?
Do fans go wild when a computer makes yet another seamless shift?
Are they ecstatic when they are given the statistics of the torque characteristics of the automatic clutch and gear train assembly?
On the other hand, did they go wild when Nigel Mansell pressured Nelson Piquet into fluffing a gear change.
Did they hold their breath when Fangio deliberately ran through corners in the "wrong" gear so that he could make up time on Hawthorn and Collins at bthe Nurburgring.
Which is the more exciting and impressive?
Human endeavour or mechanical perfectness?
Do fans go wild when a computer makes yet another seamless shift?
Are they ecstatic when they are given the statistics of the torque characteristics of the automatic clutch and gear train assembly?
On the other hand, did they go wild when Nigel Mansell pressured Nelson Piquet into fluffing a gear change.
Did they hold their breath when Fangio deliberately ran through corners in the "wrong" gear so that he could make up time on Hawthorn and Collins at bthe Nurburgring.
Which is the more exciting and impressive?
Human endeavour or mechanical perfectness?
Eric Mc said:
Which is the more exciting and impressive?
Human endeavour or mechanical perfectness?
I sort of see your point, but if it's purely human endeavour you want, you should watch athletics. Human endeavour or mechanical perfectness?
As soon as you introduce a mechanical / engineering aspect to the sport, I think you have to exploit it fully.
So you actually enjoy motor sport more for the mechanical and engineering aspect compared to the driver involvement element.
Would you still enjoy the sport if the cars were remote controlled with no drivers at all?
This is a perennial problem with motor sport. At what point does the human interest stop and the engineering interest start? And what should the balance between the two be?
Do humans, on the whole, appreciate what other human beings do (and the risks they take) or are they mainly impressed by technology?
How much of either should be reflected in motor sport?
Would you still enjoy the sport if the cars were remote controlled with no drivers at all?
This is a perennial problem with motor sport. At what point does the human interest stop and the engineering interest start? And what should the balance between the two be?
Do humans, on the whole, appreciate what other human beings do (and the risks they take) or are they mainly impressed by technology?
How much of either should be reflected in motor sport?
Eric Mc said:
So you actually enjoy motor sport more for the mechanical and engineering aspect compared to the driver involvement element.
Would you still enjoy the sport if the cars were remote controlled with no drivers at all?
Perhaps not enjoy it more for these aspects, but it's a team sport and I appreciate the efforts and abilities of the guy who writes the TC or gearbox control software just as much as the guy who designs the most powerful engine or the stickiest tyre.Would you still enjoy the sport if the cars were remote controlled with no drivers at all?
I don't think any of these are more important than the skill of the driver, so no - I probably wouldn't enjoy remote controlled cars. On the other hand, I do think that part of a modern F1 driver's skillset is to make the most of the technology.
If it's a gladiatorial battle people want, there are other formulae where everyone has the same equipment and the best driver wins. Personally, I don't see that dumbing-down F1 is the way to enhance its appeal, but I accept that I may be in the minority.
onomatopoeia said:
thunderbelmont said:
H-gate manuals, proper clutch pedal on the left which you need to press to change gear!!. Oh yes.
How do you force people to use the clutch when changing gear?Edited by FourWheelDrift on Wednesday 25th July 12:00
I think F1 is as much about technical advancement as it is about anything else (which is why Peter Windors views IMHO are right), and keeps the manufacturers in. Which in turn makes it the ultimate in wheeled sport.
Or you could go one make/one motor agricultural dynamics like the US Indy/Champ Cars which produces great close racing.
But that would never suit the more sophisticated racing game that is F1 GP. To advance, the world changes; so F1 changes. Unlike so many other forms of racing which regularly disappear up their own arses (because either the biggest budgets dominate and take the technologicals, like tyre usage and make it no sport at all).
Best racing on the planet is MotoGP for me, but an F1 driven by a top flighter at 10/10ths is still THE most awesome sight.
Or you could go one make/one motor agricultural dynamics like the US Indy/Champ Cars which produces great close racing.
But that would never suit the more sophisticated racing game that is F1 GP. To advance, the world changes; so F1 changes. Unlike so many other forms of racing which regularly disappear up their own arses (because either the biggest budgets dominate and take the technologicals, like tyre usage and make it no sport at all).
Best racing on the planet is MotoGP for me, but an F1 driven by a top flighter at 10/10ths is still THE most awesome sight.
FourWheelDrift said:
onomatopoeia said:
thunderbelmont said:
H-gate manuals, proper clutch pedal on the left which you need to press to change gear!!. Oh yes.
How do you force people to use the clutch when changing gear?Edited by FourWheelDrift on Wednesday 25th July 12:00
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