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Formula 1 news, results and statistics when you need it |
Traction
Control Returns |
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Formula 1 news, results and statistics when you need it |
Traction
Control Returns |
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Here are a few quotes from teams and drivers on the return of electronic aids to Formula 1. Patrick Head - Technical Director - Williams: "Barcelona sees the new regulations that permit significantly more management of the engine, gearbox, differential and clutch and this will permit traction control, which will be conducted by different teams in different ways. They will be looking to reduce the power of the engine in response to sensed wheel spin. Some may be using ignition cutting, some may be using ignition retards, some may be using throttle closure, there are a number of different ways, or a combination of ways of achieving an end result. It would certainly be very significant if the qualifying or race are wet, or run on a damp track. Probably of less importance if the race and qualifying are dry, but certainly there will be many tracks this year where it will be a deciding factor. As far as the clutch is concerned people will be using automatic starts, although the trigger for the starts will need to come from the driver. He will need to respond to the lights going out and give a command through whatever mechanism to initiate the start. The diff control is probably not hugely significant, but it gives a little more freedom to control the differential to assist the handling of the car. Being able to fully automate the gearbox probably won’t make a great deal of difference, but will just mean that instead of the driver responding to lights on the dashboard, telling him when to change gear, it will change up automatically and change down automatically." Mike Coughlan - Technical Director - Arrows: "Traction control is going to make very little difference to lap times. It is during the race where it will come into its own as the cars will be easier to drive, the tyres will last longer and the drivers will make less mistakes. This will impact on overtaking, making it harder, as it is usually when the driver in front makes a mistake that you get past. The biggest benefit is that we now have a level playing field as there are no question marks over who has these systems and who doesn’t. Launch control is a little trickier to master and could throw up a few surprises. We have yet to match a classic Verstappen start with a computer so there is a fine balance to be achieved there." Kazutoshi Nishizawa - Technical Director - Honda: "While the drivers may not readily welcome the return of traction control, for us it presents an interesting new dimension in the management of the engine's performance. For an engine manufacturer there are four key considerations created by traction control, these are afterburn, fuel wastage, vibration and reliability. Because of the increased tendency for the engine to afterburn, there is a higher proportion of fuel burnt uselessly - that is, without producing power - so we still have to adjust our software programming of the engine to reduce fuel wastage. These are all added challenges and like everything in Formula One, represent further opportunities to develop and refine our technologies in the search for success." Hisao Saganumo - Technical Manager - Bridgestone: "The limiting of power one gets with traction control may mean that lap times grow so drivers will not want to rely on it too much if they are to make the most of the extra grip. It is difficult to say how much we can expect from the new system. But the introduction of traction control should help prevent rear wheel sliding and therefore reduce degradation on the rear tyres." Michael Schumacher - Ferrari: "Traction control will help in preventing sudden surges of engine power from causing wheel spin. This means performance will be slightly more consistent and quicker, but they are very small changes. Will our system be better than the opposition's? It's possible we could have a technical advantage because the best team will benefit more from the introduction of electronics. We have been working a lot on this. At first we felt it would not be completely ready. In fact, the modifications do not just control traction, as they also cover the differential, the gearbox control system and the start mechanism." Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari: "I have always said that traction control levels out the playing field between the drivers and that means it detracts from the drivers' ability. Personally, I would advocate taking downforce off the cars and giving them more grip with slick tyres. That would be the best way to reduce speed in the corners and make the cars safer. It would also make the spectacle more interesting." David Coulthard - McLaren: "Traction control not only helps you in the slow corners, but also in the faster bits as well. It doesn't only compensate when you break traction, it also comes in when you begin to slide. As a result, it is a whole new discipline. Whereas before, I would be taking a corner at 120mph at one-half throttle, now I am taking it at 125mph on full throttle, knowing that the car will correct itself if the back end steps out of line. That requires a lot of faith and commitment in the electronics, of course, and takes a while to reach that state. Cars with better grip and handling will still beat cars with less effective grip and handling." Jacques Villeneuve - BAR: "It makes life much easier so on that side I like it. On the racer side I hate it because it means if you're better than someone at something, it takes away the advantage you have, so as a driver you feel that you want to win the race, so of course you don't want traction control. It changes the way you set the car up, changes the feel a lot, but at least if it’s legal then no-one can cheat." Heinz
Harald Frentzen - Jordan: "I have made no secret of the fact that
I am against traction control for what it takes away from the driver with
regard to car control. However, if it's the only way to get a fair game,
it's better to make it legal for everyone. Those who expect lap times to
drop dramatically in Spain will be disappointed. At least in dry
conditions, even a perfect traction control helps to save only one or two
tenths of a second. On a wet surface, however, we are talking about a
different situation. Depending on the amount of water on the track, the
difference can be up to 2.5 seconds per lap. Jean Alesi - Prost: "I can't say I'm for it. We're meant to be the best drivers in the world, but this 'aid' will only be a performance leveller. Traction control on standard cars for your regular Tom, Dick or Harry – OK. But in F1, no." |
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