Isnt Manual traction control allowed?
Some guy puts out another interesting theory that it's the flich throttle technique used during acceleration and braking which tries to replicate traction control. I have seen Nico and Lewis use this technique at the early stages of this year and I think RBR are just doing it now.
That's just a running joke on Autosport forum isn't it?That's just a running joke on Autosport forum isn't it?
http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=142430
http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=187286&view=findpost&p=6318103
I seem to remember Senna's technique of feathering the throttle being quite widely well known back in they day, if that's what we're talking about.
Not necessarily, Bhaji.If it was traction control that was responsible for leaving such tyre marks, wouldn't it actually be a pretty poor system given the apparent lack of controlling traction? *scratches head*
See below, Bando. Remember how I defined traction control as a system (mechanical or electronic) designed to monitor and regulate traction by limiting power delivery. A driver does not constitute such a system, even if inputs are attempted to emulate such a system. Please see below because I have more to say on this, and as I hope will become clear, this is not what Senna was trying to do in any case.Isnt Manual traction control allowed?
Essentially true. Please read below, although I will save a fuller explanation for another post.**Yes, that's how the drivers earn their money.
Are you referring to 'heel and toe' or the stabbing, 'cadence' throttle inputs**? I am going to assume that you're more interested in the throttle technique alone, since heel and toe is only relevant when braking, which deserves a separate discussion. AG's following post is pretty much on the money but there is something important I'd like to add, so please read my comment which follows his:Some guy showed a video of Senna doing it around Suzuka with a Honda NSX, he kept flicking the pedal to induce mild traction control or so I was lead to believe.
[video link removed for brevity][/video]
Maybe cosicave can shed some light on this?
You've mentioned several interesting things here, AG.That's not for traction control, he's just feeling for grip. He's probably unfamiliar with the car, how responsive it is, how much it understeers/oversteers and how much applying the throttle upsets the handling of the car etc. You see rally drivers doing this a lot because they don't know how much grip the road yields. For best traction you want smooth, progressive application of the throttle, like you see with onboard starts. Webber wouldn't have been doing that out of the hairpin in Montreal. Notice Senna does this on corner entry and mid corner, not in the traction zones.
cosicave:4900421 said:Not necessarily, Bhaji.If it was traction control that was responsible for leaving such tyre marks, wouldn't it actually be a pretty poor system given the apparent lack of controlling traction? *scratches head*
It would depend how the system was set up, very much including the rear differential which I alluded to before. Remember that best traction occurs with some tyre-slip (10%-15%). Thus the most efficient TC for racing (not the same as a road car, which kicks in sooner because of greater concern for tyre longevity) would deliberately allow wheel-spin to begin and then chop torque slightly but very suddenly, then allow and chop again, repeating the process as necessary until delivered torque does not exceed the tyre's ability to cope.
Thanks! I also learn a lot here.Well... One learns something new every day.![]()
Agreed.Yeah... It certainly cleared that up for me.
It all seems like a much to do about nothing from the little that I have read. Seems like some folks in the Italian media are looking for something to divert attention away from the not so overly stellar performance of the Scuderia thus far.

AG and Cosicave are on a roll this week clearing things up for us
Is it alright that I can call you two Starsky and Hutch?
Tango and cash?
Batman and Robin?
Spongebob and Patrick?
For those "old" enough.. you can't beat the dynamic pair of
Bungle and Zippy!
Bungle and Zippy it is!For those "old" enough.. you can't beat the dynamic pair of
Bungle and Zippy!

