B : Activates Kinetic Energy Recovery System
Oil : Activates supplementary oil tank for engine
PL : Turn pit lane speed limiter on/off
Tyre : Adjust electronics to suit different tyres
Any idea why those aren't automatic? I'd think you'd have some computer-detectable indication for when oil would be useful, pit-lanes are identifiable by detecting location, and send the tire type over wirelessly when changed. And why wouldn't you want KERS running?
Seriously, I'm asking. I'm not an F1 buff.
When you have that much on the wheel, I'd think removing what you can would be important. Especially given the very-early line:
>This year designers have had to squeeze in buttons for [KERS] and Drag Reduction Systems along with the usual array of toggles, switches and levers.
Removing 4 buttons would seem to be an improvement, though a bit of a drop in a bucket.
1. The radios on these cars go bad all the time - saw the number of backup buttons for when that happens?
2. KERS - you are limited to use it only for 6.6 seconds per lap - and, the driver gets to decide when to use it. Thus, it has to be a button.
3. PL: PL ensures that you don't go above or below the 75 KPH or whatever speed limit each track has. This zone is marked by a well defined line at the start and the end of the zone. I don't think that GPS is that accurate to turn this on/off automatically - especially considering the importance hundredths of seconds makes in this sport. Second, you don't want a car suddenly braking automatically or find the accelerator free automatically when the driver's not really prepared for the exact moment.
4. Oil: I believe this is in place for a 'what-if' scenario.
5. Tyre: Again, I am sure that this is in place because of the 'what-if-radio-does-not-work' scenario.
There isn't really any space to have levers anywhere else on the car like the hidden bonnet/boot switch and the backups also find their way to the steering wheel! ;-)
Seriously, I'm asking. I'm not an F1 buff.
When you have that much on the wheel, I'd think removing what you can would be important. Especially given the very-early line:
>This year designers have had to squeeze in buttons for [KERS] and Drag Reduction Systems along with the usual array of toggles, switches and levers.
Removing 4 buttons would seem to be an improvement, though a bit of a drop in a bucket.