What year did F1 make the switch from stick shift to paddleshifters?

[Yazgaça]

Does anybody know the answer?

[SS454]

Ferrari were the first ones in 1990, everyone soon followed.

[Nova]

If Im not mistaken, The John Barnard designed 1989 Ferrari F189 or the 639 which featured the electromagnetic semi automatic gearbox utilized the paddle shifters.
This was the 1st year after turbo's went away and most teams had the airbox behind the drivers head..Ferrari didnt at first but added it w/the the 639/640.
Nigel Mansell won the opening round in Brazil.

[SS454]

hmmm, the 1989 640 was the first semi-auto gearbox. I have this vid from 1990, and Johnathan Palmer was saying that Ferrari had new paddle shifters, new as in 1 year old new. Doesnt he know that 1 year is forever in F1? :P For sure the paddle shifters were a big reason the 641/2 was as competitive as it was in 1990, as the car itself was not that great.

[Nova]

Hey SS, sorry I missed this, I have quite a few vids of the 89 season, as well as books from my mostly depleted collection...since its off season, mabey we can start some sort of "raging" debate.......you 1st lol....

[SS454]

A good debate is always fun. But I cant debate this as I believe you were right about the paddles coming in 1989 ;)

[Nova]

I loved the 639/640 series, well in 89 and 90 anyway...was watching the Aussie gp from 89 the other night...showed some in car stuff w/Nigel, dam, the car really sounded raw, really tough to drive, Nigel was man handling it, but it looked that the car was tough on tires, at least in that race...such a difference from the in cars today...

[Yazgaça]

Thanks guys...Appreciate the answers

[SS454]

I think the strategies created a big change in the cars behavior back then. With no refueling it meant well over 200L of fuel went into the cars. So imagine how bad they handled at the start, then the tires were either softs for a 1 stop strategy generally, or hards to last the whole race. So that heavy car is gonna eat through the tires pretty fast if pushed hard, and they'd have nothing left at the end. Interesting stuff.