Mercedes F1 Makes a Finger-Molded Clutch Paddle for Faster Starts
Unlike most road-going cars, modern Formula One cars use a steering-wheel mounted paddle to the control the clutch. This way, drivers can use their feet to focus on the gas and brake, and not have to worry about swapping around to control three pedals. This year, new regulations are making it harder for drivers to get a clean launch, but Mercedes has come up with a simple yet clever solution.
For the 2017 season, Formula One switched around the regulations a bit to give drivers more of the responsibility when it comes to starts. Previously, engineers could tweak the software controlling the clutch to offer a smoother launch even on a clumsy start, but now, it's all up to the drivers to get away without stalling.
Mercedes' solution? A paddle that's shaped to the driver's index and middle finger. This gives the driver more feel for the clutch's bite point, allowing for more predictable grab and therefore, an easier start.
There's a short video detailing the new setup, which you can see here.
Whether that'll actually mean a quicker launch for Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, we don't know for sure. We'll just have to wait until next weekend in Melbourne to find out.
via Autosport
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