9 replies to this topic

[Peterson]

Sorry if i sound as i have been on another planet for a while, but someone mentioned in reveiw of the new sim F1 2001 that the drivers these days use automatic gear changes on to long straights.

I thought that was illegal? If not, why only on to long straights?
Could someone please sort this out?

Thanks

[Pioneer]

It was illegal till the new electronics rules earlier this year (that also included traction control).

Most if not all of the teams are using automatic upshifting at least part of the time. Generally, its bad to upshift in mid corner, so that is why you would only use it on the straights (though some teams are full auto all the time as far as I can see... watch some Ferrari onboard cams). Automatic downshifting is also a bit tricky and somewhat up to the preference of the driver whereas shifting on a long straight under full power acceleration can be easily optimized (its also when it would be most beneficial to have perfectly optimized shifting).

[confucius]

Just wondering, why is it bad to shift mid-corner? Is that both upshift and downshift?

[random]

Traditionally you're better not to shift in a corner for a few reasons.

First, because you need both hands on the wheel to steer effectively. Of course, this hasn't mattered to F1 drivers for some time as they have paddle shifters.

Shifting in a corner also unloads the rear of the car for an instant, thus bringing the dangers of trailing throttle oversteer and a possible spin.

IMHO, the electronic systems in modern F1 have them off the power for such a short period of time that they could probably get away with corner-shifting in all but the highest loaded corners.

I shift in corners occasionally, but avoid it when I can. I'd never try to shift in the middle of a hairpin or a very sharp turn. (but I don't have paddle shifters either )

[confucius]

Originally posted by random
Shifting in a corner also unloads the rear of the car for an instant, thus bringing the dangers of trailing throttle oversteer and a possible spin.

That's what happened to Mika at Monza right? Why does it unload the rear/lock the rear wheels if you shift to a gear that's too low like he did?

Sorry if I sound like a clueless himbo...I know squat about cars, but where better to learn than here!

[ForzaF1]

I think that are now able to program the shifting pattern so that they system is aware of where it is on the track and won't up-shift in a corner unless they want it to.

From looking at in-car clips from BernieVision posted on the web, it seems that most drivers now use auto up shift for at least part of the lap. Some also use auto downshift, but quite a few seem to prefer to downshift manualy. It also seems they alter the shifting program and/or traction control settings quite often depending on track position/condistions & traffic.

[Oho]

Ave !!

No confucius, Mika blocked his rear wheels entirely with his gear change error and stalled the engine. By the time he spinned off his game was already over.

- Oho -

[Peter Perfect]

Originally posted by confucius


That's what happened to Mika at Monza right? Why does it unload the rear/lock the rear wheels if you shift to a gear that's too low like he did?

Sorry if I sound like a clueless himbo...I know squat about cars, but where better to learn than here!

Shifting into a gear that's too low means that the rear wheels are rotating more slowly than the speed the car is travelling at (just like braking too hard, the wheels are still rotating but not quickly enough). This means that traction is lost at the rear and the car will snap around. It's like having the brake bias shifted too far to the rear.

[confucius]

ahh..it's all clear now. Thanks.

[Peterson]

So if they develop this feature (as they always do) we will soon se fully automatic gearboxes?

It seems like they are getting closer and closer to the unreal thing, i mean the pc-simulations where you only have to steer the car (slightly..).