How does a current F1 car's clutch work and why can't Hamilton learn it?

Ask Mark Webber, dude sucked at starting for his whole career

 

I'm with you it is crazy to understand why he can't do it - Pretty much has cost him the WDC

 

Previously we had 2 clutch levers, one you released immediately, the other you ''half engaged'' with another finger underneath it in the 2nd fase of the start.

They got rid of this now (by regs) and limited to a single clutch lever. They use complicated software to predetermine the bite point on the pre start (they do a number of these over the weekend to ensure the right temperature vs wear), they launch the car at the right rpm for the temp/wear/bitepoint. I think, though not completely sure, they basically release the clutch, they don't modulate it.

 

Not being able to modulate the clutch would leave you in the dark somewhat

 

Remember the clutch paddle is on the detachable steering wheel, so like everything else on the wheel, this is electrically operated. So not as simple as a clutch pedal which gives good feedback (ie: feel)-- this is much much harder, more like the difference between driving a real car vs playing a video game.

Still, seems to bother Ham more than the rest.

 

Verstappen and Vettel had some problems with it as well.

Don't know exactly how it works, but from what I understood from multiple sources it's operated with the hand with two smaller (drive by wire) pedals behind the steering wheel, slightly lower than the ones used for shifting. One clutch is fully released just pre-start, the other one works sort of similar as a foot operated/regular car clutch.

The clutch itself, carbon fibre, has very small tolerances on biting point, very much temperature dependant, basically an on/off switch. Another key point as I understood are the tyre temps, just a couple of degrees off and grip is very much reduced.

A good start also seems to be dependant on the correct clutch setup and temperature monitoring by the team. At least RB declared just a couple of races ago it got Vers. clutch setup wrong.

 

Didn't know and not sure if they switched to one clutch lever, you could be right....

 

I was thinking the same thing after I heard him apologize for the start over the radio. Really? There is not a system in place whereby a guy like Hamilton can't make a near perfect start at least 95% of the time? I don't believe Hamilton is uncoordinated or ignorant of the system.

So what gives? I would like a clear explanation because I'm sure it is more complex than it seems on the surface. With hundreds of millions of dollars in play I would think this extremely important phase wouldn't be so difficult.

(edit) here's an article I just found which states the drivers are much more on there own re: clutch setup before the start among the other points of clutch sensitivity to temp, etc.
The whole setup is obviously very difficult to get right or you wouldn't see a guy like Hamilton having trouble.

https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2015/08/analysis-why-f1-drivers-will-struggle-to-get-it-right-with-new-rules-on-starts/

 

Don't forget that rules dictate that the drivers themselves need to operate the clutch. A procedure very much dependant on a number of variables.

Launch control isn't allowed.

 

Vettel and Nico both seem to have their launches down to fantastic levels this season. You can count on Vettel to hit T1 3-5 places up from his starting position. Sadly, he's wrecked a lot of these times.

And yes, if I were Hamilton, with a world championship on the line, I'd be doing whatever I could to practice this properly.

Perhaps Hamilton has large amounts of raw arm power, but not good forearm control for individual fingers.

 

Elton has previously said he is so good that he did not bother to learn the new track this year on the simulator. I'm assuming the same arrogance is at play here.

He is a very good driver but not the complete package due to the thing between his ears ...
Pete

 

No matter how good the simulator, the tire modeling is a royal pain to get remotely right. I can understand his sentiments. I could not use any sim I've ever tried to learn a kart track. High aspect ratio tires are very difficult to model real time.

 

Yes I was wrong, single lever all is right but you can modulate it. Mercedes have given both Rosberg and Hamilton gloves with more feel to modulate them recently. Think I was getting my systems confused slightly, I rushed my typing as I was busy.

 

I think their Sims are far better than anything we see. All the F1 teams and drivers use them a lot ...
Pete

 

+1, they have TONS of data, much more than a sim can hope to get (especially current tires).

 

Concur. Their sims are far more advanced than anything out there and also very secret. The previous gen could pull over 2g's. I can't imagine what the new ones do.

It does seem just plain stupid to me that teams would be prevented from doing straight line launch testing in between races with the real cars.

 

Well...Barrichelo always started in reverse...Michael never seem to have a problem though!!

 

Wrong. MS was not a great starter. When he broke his leg it was caused by yet another poor start.
Pete

 

True...but compared with Rubens he was a genious!!!

 

It could be that, since he's been so diligent about putting in the work, Rosberg has found a "magic" combination that lets him get those good starts.

Hamilton hasn't been putting in as much time, correct?

Rosberg has the advantage through hard work and study of the problem, Hamilton's deficit is the lack of time put in.

It's all down to the time spent working on your solution - it's the only way I learned my major and all minor scales, repetition, repetition, repetition.

 

well said

 

Elton has spent a considerable amount of time demonstrating to everybody who takes notice that F1 is very easy for him. I guess this is part of the ego and the generation he belongs to.

Of course the easier it is for him the less he is admired. His generation don't get this and don't get that achievements are better if they require hard work.

So of course he will not have put the necessary effort into learning how to use the new clutch system because that will be below him. And yeah he is reaping the benefit.

A great driver but potentially not the smartest (?)
Pete

 

Again, he is stuck bashing the square peg against the round hole, while Nico is on quantum physics! Elton isn't the sharpest tool in the box that's for sure

 

I'm no Hamilton fan (at all), but the thought that he isn't working hard to try to figure this out is laughable.