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Dieter Gunter heads up the electronics
department within the Ferrari team ands as you can imagine this is a massive area within
F1 and the modern F1 car. Bi-dimension telemetry is one of the newest gizmo’s to
assist the teams and Gunter explains a little about the system and what you can and
can’t do with it.
“It is quite simple to explain,” says Dieter. “We can now talk to the car,
and make it understand what we want to change. Thanks to the telemetry system, we monitor
an awful lot of parameters during a race. When we feel that we have to change something,
we send an order to the car's control unit.”
How long did such a system take to design and how many area’s on the car can
be changed?
“A quarter of a year was needed to write the basis. Then we had to develop the whole
programme and, in this area, you never really stop. Hundreds (of parameters can be
changed) But we're getting better and better, we're always improving. It could be two
thousand in one year from now.”
So what are the main advantages of this new system?
“Well, we used to get information from the car and, if we wanted to change a single
parameter, we had to ask the driver to use the steering wheel's switches. Quite dangerous
when you're driving at 180mph! We can now act ourselves, and just let the driver know what
we are doing. Moreover, we can fix the car's problems while it is running.”
Can the changes only be made whilst the car is passing the pitwall?
“Not necessarily. We can act at any time, depending on the nature of the track. At
the Nürburgring, for example, it is quite easy. It is more difficult at Spa, where the
layout is so large.”
Has this system solved a race ending problem for any of the Ferrari drivers yet?
“No, not yet. But this system is like a parachute, it just has to be there for when
you need it. In a perfect world, with a perfect car, it doesn't have any reason to
exist.”
Please explain a little about the system and how it works during a race.
“We're at the back of the garage, looking at all the telemetry screens. If anything
happens, and if an action is necessary, we talk to Ross Brawn or to the car's chief
engineer. They discuss it with the driver and then tell us what to do. That said, if we
see a very urgent problem which needs immediate action, we act first.”
Are there any places you cannot use the bi-directional telemetry?
“Yes. It is forbidden to use it at the start. The FIA wants to make sure that we
don't command the launch of the car from the garage.”
Is the reliability of the system it’s self a big issue as well?
“Yes, reliability is a very big issue because the control unit has to understand what
you want it to do. You must ensure that the transmission side is OK. Then, you have to
make sure that the car understands everything. And then you have to encrypt the whole
thing just in case anyone wants to interfere with your system.”
Any there any other areas of the car that can be modified apart from the engine?
“No. The regulations are clear: the driver has to remain the driver. We can't touch
the steering, the brakes, or the suspension. But we're completely free with the
engine.” |
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