Oversteer

[gizzy]

I notice a bunch of the cars are really "stepping out" on the rear end at Monaco during practice. This is exciting to see, and should provide plenty of action during the race.

Pedro De Larossa made a special presentation during the speed broadcast about settings on the steering wheel. It was very good and showed how complex the drivers had to constantly adjust things on every corner of every lap on the steering wheel.

Maybe some of the American guys saw it, but it was really great.

10 Differential settings
10 Fuel Map settings
KERS settings, including amount and timing
Front wing angle adjust
Tire settings electronically depending on type
Radio
Gear Selection
Clutch
Pit speed limiter button
Brake bias
Acknowledgment button
I think there was another lever for torque control, but Pedro did not mention it...this is kinda secret stuff.

I didn't know they were constantly changing fuel map and diff adjustments for every corner, along with the trans gear changes.

Different diff settings for corner entry and exit too, from locker to semi slip, to open freewheeling plus torque control .

Incredible.

If you can picture the amount of gear changes at Monaco, plus constantly changing diff setting every corner...it's pretty incredable.
-mark

[seabassfan]

Yes- racing at Monaco is impressive! Michael Schumacher once said that he had to make 5 to 7 dial changes per lap until he found the right basic setting for him (I think he said he made about 250 changes until he found it)- not to mention the approximately 1,200 gear shifts during the race.

[gizzy]

Seabass,

Yes you don't normally see the drivers making rear dif setting changes during the race, because the wheel to change it is right under their thumb. The adjustment wheel is turned without you noticing it, even during the in-car shots. Clever, but busy drivers.
-gizzy