First time 612

In Normal, there is no rev matching, in Sport there is. I use Normal as a technique until I have 160 F on the engine oil temp so shifts are not banged through while the gearbox is cold. In the lower gears in Normal or Sport and not hurrying, it helps to lift slightly (feather the throttle) on upshifts. The higher the gear and the higher the revs, especially in Sport the less necessary it is to lift the throttle on upshifts. Takes a while to get the feel of it. On downshifts, no help is really needed unless you want to heel and toe slightly on downshifts in the lower gears in Normal. In Sport, the system does a good job of rev matching throughout the rev range. OMs say it double clutches on downshifts, but not 100% sure that is true. Sounds like it on downshifts to 2nd and 1st (double blip), but too fast to hear on higher gears.

I never let the system downshift automatically when slowing down. If I want her to downshift, I do it myself. I am a coast in neutral to a stop driver, but that is only a technique. If traffic starts moving while in neutral either the right or left paddle will get you the same gear that is the highest where the engine will run smoothly. This is way too high a gear, so I use the left, downshift paddle to get a gear and then am set up for the necessary downshift to get a usable gear.

Note these are all techniques that slightly increase clutch life and make for pretty smooth shifting once you get the hang of it. If your upshifts are not smoother than with a 3 pedal, you need more practice.

Extended paddles really help on shifting. Have had mine (Carbonio) 7+ years and would have a hard time going back to OEM length paddles.

 

Thanks for the additional details about making better use of the F1 gearbox, Terry.

 

Agree completely. The F1is much more "engaging" than the double clutch PDK in my 911. You have to drive it as described making it close to having a 3rd pedal.
Very much more fun and challenging. I have done it long enough now that it has become "automatic" but, every now and then, I screw up and the car tells me to "PAY ATTENTION". It is not a Buick.