15 replies to this topic

[Gold]

I would have thought with the seamless gearshifts and engine maps that there would be no need. Anyone know?

[Ross Stonefeld]

Short-shifting is mainly about traction so there will be times when they do it. Also fuel economy and general reliability.

You would also shift up early if you were accelerating through a corner so as not to destabilise the car with the gear change, but with modern paddle systems that's not needed.

[Wander]

I saw Bottas shortshifting in FP1 just yesterday, I think it was out of the second to last corner, but can't remember for sure. I think the commentator said it was "to keep the back from stepping out". I'm sure they do it lots in the rain.

Edited by Wander, 15 March 2013 - 22:57.

[tjkoyen]

They short shift in rain for sure.

If you've ever played any of the recent F1 games, short shifting helps a lot in the final corner at Melbourne. Whether or not they do it in real-life, I don't know.

[Coops3]

I think as Ross says, it's mostly about traction, so yes. The better your car, the less you'll need to do it.

[fdspd]

Shortshifting is quite common, especially in the race when they are trying to conserve tyres and minimize wheelspin out of certain corners.

[Les]

Indeed in China 2011, for example, Rosberg was told to shortshift to save fuel. I'm sure its happened most races since.

[ClubmanGT]

I'm pretty sure the answer to this question lies in engine mapping. Moving the torque higher up the rev band and then dropping short of your artificial limiter would be more rewarding than just short-shifting.

[Gold]

I mean short shifting as in traction short shifting.

This is an interesting video:




In the old days drivers would just near enough floor it after a short shift (traction short shift). In the video you clearly see Lewis short shifting and still feathering the throttle after the shift. He really is a first rate traction driver, though I still don't understand why he does it that way.

Edited by Gold, 08 April 2013 - 02:55.

[Timstr11]

I think short shifting helps with Pirelli tyre management as it helps to prevent wheelspin.

[Ross Stonefeld]

It also saves fuel and keeps strain off the engine.

[FPV GTHO]

I think its mainly to prevent a shift mid corner and such, but you have to remember the tyre only has so much grip at any one point - if the cars loaded up through the corner a sudden jolt from the gearbox will break traction, just like trying to steer under full braking force will.

[pingu666]

part throttle + short shift would keep you in the rev range, if you assume full throttle would need +2 shifts to maintain traction, or no shift you would have to be very careful on the throttle

[Jejking]

I think its mainly to prevent a shift mid corner and such, but you have to remember the tyre only has so much grip at any one point - if the cars loaded up through the corner a sudden jolt from the gearbox will break traction, just like trying to steer under full braking force will.

Well that is where seamless shift comes in. I think there are no big sudden jolts anymore, at least for the downshifts in corners. You shouldn't try that with normal cars, btw.

It also saves fuel and keeps strain off the engine.

If done properly, going too low with the revs might stress the engine more because it would have to work harder to get back up to speed.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Uh, not really. And they're not going down to 8,000 rpm or anything. They're just not revving it as high as it goes.

[Mauseri]

I would have thought with the seamless gearshifts and engine maps that there would be no need. Anyone know?

You cannot take corner as fast if you have to switch mid corner. I think it has an influence on the balance even with seamless gears. The same goes with acceleration, it's easier to be on the limit with a constant gear.