P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 steering wheels: How they work, what the buttons do and more
F1 steering wheels have evolved over the years to become highly advanced and unique compared to road car steering wheels. In the early years of F1, steering wheels were simple and made of wood and aluminum. In the 1960s, leather wrap was added for better grip. The first button, an emergency ignition-kill switch, appeared in the 1970s. The 1980s saw the introduction of suede and personalized grips for different drivers’ styles. Steering wheels also became detachable with quick-release mechanisms and featured gadgets like radio buttons and boost buttons. The biggest change came in 1989 when Ferrari introduced paddle shifts, replacing the clutch pedal and making the gearshift semi-automatic.
