Formula 1 racing is one of the most popular motorsports around the world. This hi-octane sport has garnered millions of fans and followers across the globe. One of the reasons behind its popularity is the fact that Formula 1 cars are faster than most cars used in other forms of motorsports. These cars are specifically engineered to attain extremely high speed without losing control. From transmission to clutch, every component is exclusively designed for maximum speed and agility.
In this guide, we will learn all there is to know about clutches in Formula 1 cars and how they are different from regular car clutches.
How is the F1 Car Clutch Different?
The one common thing a road car and an F1 car have is the presence of a clutch. However, F1 car clutches are very different from the clutch found in regular cars. An F1 car does not have a clutch pedal controlled by the driver’s foot, instead, such cars have a clutch paddle located on the steering wheel. Formula 1 cars have semi-automatic transmission and a clutch that works electro-hydraulically.
How Does the F1 Clutch Work?
On a basic level, the clutch of a F1 car works pretty much the same as a regular car clutch.
When it comes to road cars, the clutch is connected to the crankshaft with the gearbox. The function of a crankshaft is to transform the pistons reciprocating motion into a circular motion.
There is a flywheel at one side of the crankshaft which prevents the vibrations caused by irregular piston movements, among other things. The engine flywheel performs a circular movement like the crankshaft. Both elements transmit the said movement to the gearbox.
Then, the clutch discs have the ability to rotate together or separate, this depends on whether the clutch is depressed or released. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the connection between the transmission and the engine breaks, making it easy to change from one gear to another.
On the other hand, when the clutch pedal releases, it reconnects the engine and transmission, making the car move forward. This is exactly like the clutch of an F1 car but instead of a clutch pedal, there is a clutch paddle on the steering wheel.
Difference Between F1 Clutch and Regular Clutch
Given the clutch of regular and F1 cars work in the same way, the clutch of an F1 car has a number of peculiarities. Let’s go through them in detail:
- F1 cars have pull-type actuation systems, in this system the clutch opens after the spring is pulled to separate the discs, while in a regular road car, the springs are pushed to separate the clutch. An F1 driver stretches these springs, whereas a regular car driver pushes them.
- F1 cars have a multi-disc clutch, usually made up of 3 or 4 inner discs and 3 or 4 outer discs. On the other hand, a standard car clutch has only one plate.
- The clutch of an F1 works electro hydraulically, instead of acting directly on the clutch, the driver emits a signal. And then the action is performed using a hydraulic actuator.
- A typical F1 race car driver interacts directly with the clutch during starts in order to find the bite point and to warm the tyres. Moreover, F1 cars have a semi-automatic transmission and the driver presses the paddles on the steering wheel to change gear.
- F1 car clutches are lighter than regular size, owing to the light weight material used in F1 steering wheels. In some cases, a regular car clutch system weighs above 50kg, while the clutch in an F1 car weighs only 1.5kg.
- An F1 clutch is around 150 mm, which means it is much smaller than standard clutches. Moreover, it is made of carbon fibre and titanium. On the other hand, a standard road car clutch is usually cast iron and high carbon steel. This difference exists owing to the high speeds, high forces, high temperatures a Formula 1 car has to endure.
- A standard clutch is capable of lasting for more than 100,000 km, while the clutch in an F1 car needs to be changed often due to its enormous stress.
Why Don’t F1 Cars Have Clutch Pedals?
Up until the 1990s, Formula 1 cars made use of three pedals. Later on, Ferrari brought in the concept of a paddle-shifted transmission on their Ferrari Type 640 at the 1989 Brazilian GP. This innovation became popular and by 1992 most teams favoured paddles. By 1996 all teams shifted to paddles.
This is because using paddle shifters instead of 3 pedals had numerous advantages. Firstly, using hand-operated paddles, cuts on the number of pedals a driver has to keep track of. They only have to make use of the accelerator and brake pedal.
Secondly, mostly a computer controls the clutch and not the racer.
How Does an F1 Car Start
The Formula 1 car clutch is used to move the vehicle from a complete stop. To change gears, F1 drivers make use of the paddle shifters. F1 wheels have two clutch paddles, (they both have the same function) however, the paddle that is pressed the most is more superior.
To start an F1 car, the driver presses one of the paddles fully while the other one is pressed halfway. To put it simply, when the F1 car driver lets go of paddle number 1, the clutch pressure goes from 100% to 50%. And when the driver releases the second paddle it makes the car move forward, get throttle control and gain traction.
The driver has to play with the clutch and throttle to get the perfect start. This practice has been in place since 2008, (fully automated launch control for this season was banned). With this practice, race initiation depends more on the driver’s skills and reflexes to manipulate the clutch paddles and throttle to attain the best start.
That is all about F1 car clutches. If you are into F1 races, go through our detailed blog on the 2022 F1 grand prix season.
Then, if you are a fan of speedy cars, go through these used cars for sale in the UAE. You will find a number of high-performance cars and regular cars on dubizzle.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for everything automobiles.
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