On: Why F1 Steering Wheels Have Over 20 Buttons - And What They All Do

[hristov]

I am surprised they would use something like this. Formula one has experimented with variable geometry before, and the conclusion was that it is very dangerous, because a fault with the variable geometry can cause nasty crashes. If this thing gets stuck in drag reduction mode and the driver does not realize that it is stuck, the car will not have enough down force to take the turns at the speed the driver is used to, so it will slam into the wall in the first turn.

So we will see how it works, but it is very dangerous.

[maxxxxx → hristov]

I think there is a noticeable slowdown when the wing goes back into normal position so the driver will know if something doesn't work. It may still be a problem.

[bborud → hristov]

given the forces involved I'd be surprised if a driver at this level would fail to notice that the flap hasn't closed just by the feel of the car.

however, if the flap were to open while the car is grip-limited due to lateral load...that would be unfortunate.

(actually, this has already happened a couple of races ago but I have forgotten to which driver)

[cromulent → hristov]

They had driver-adjustable front wings last year.