Ferrari F2008 ECU and the new steering wheel

Because of the different ECU being used, the steering wheel has been redesigned to use the functions available to the driver through the new limited ECU. No more track displays and visuals, but all the information that the driver would need will still be displayed. I doubt that Ferrari would try and adapt the new steering wheel to the Magneti electronics and would instead choose to run the new ecu to make the transition easy and glichless.

Also Badoer quotes the new ecu after the test.

Badoer: ''This is a known situation. We have to go back to the year 2000-2001, eventhough the cars have obviously been improved because in terms of rule changes, there are thousands of people in F1 continiously working to improve the car. Anyhow, without traction control and with the new ECU it's you that needs to control the power, 'discharge' it in a progressive way. And I would say that now we are 1 to 1,5 seconds slower compared to (regular) 2007 cars. But we're not worried, because we work at the highest level and with the input towards the engineers and mechanics we will have come close to the performances of this year at the end of the winter. And for the drivers it simply comes down to getting used to it.''

''You get used to it quickly. But it's an enormous work in all areas of the car, that's the difference compared to the start of wintertests in the past. For instance, the engine used to be able to deliver as much horsepower you desired, and also how you desired it, the traction control was simply there to take care of it. Now you need the regulate the engine, map it to say it in jargon, to make the power controllable. With the ECU everything changes, the management of the engine and the car included.''

''Without traction control the problems emerge in the slow corners more than anywhere. The impact was harsh, I think that everyone has a different approach to the problem. But for a driver the most important thing is the feeling with the car.''

''Schumacher is impressing, incredible. I'm not really surprised because I know him well. He's like a superheroe. So much for adapting to the car he was driving, but after a few laps he was back being number 1. He had a great will to drive. There was the possibility for him to drive and he has taken his chance. And Ferrari was really interested in him because after a year he's still able to come up with great feedback.''

''It doesn't create problems for our drivers, not even psychological ones. It's well known Schumacher is the fastest driver in the world. Kimi is really fast but for all he has shown during the years, Schumacher is something else. We're friends and, for me, working with him is always special. It was like time had not gone by for him.''

''I'm happy for Domenicali. Because it's a positive signal in terms of continuity. Above all he's a good person and he has done a great job in all the years he has worked for the team. Now he has been given the position he dreamed of. And he deserves it.''


Note: Luca Baldiserri has confirmed that Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen will be testing for Ferrari in Jerez on the 4th December.
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