[jincomplet]

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2...el-says-massa/

Ferrari's Felipe Massa has stated that the introduction of this year’s adjustable rear wing will mean that drivers are now overworked in their cockpits, with the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) also making a return to the sport this year.

From now on, any driver within one second of the car in front will be able to adjust the position of his rear wing in order to remove downforce and therefore enjoy a greater top speed and higher chance of overtaking on straights. Massa, however, is the first to point out a negative upshot.

“It's true that we have so many things to do on the steering wheel and it's also true that we do still need to drive the car,” the Brazilian commented at this weekend’s pre-season Wrooom skiing event at Madonna di Campiglio, north-east Italy.

“We’re able to cope with it, for sure, but from the driver’s point of view it's not fantastic.

"Everywhere you go you have three or four buttons to press, especially with KERS - it's going to be too much, definitely, but that’s how it is and we need to adapt very quickly.” Is he already making excuses before the season even starts? Come on Massa, man up and learn to adapt and focus on getting accustomed to them better than Alonso. How else are you going to beat the cry baby this year?

[Corryikilelet]

He's always been a cry-baby, but he's learning well from the Cry-Baby Master

[tipokotap]

He's becoming the new Ralf. Whine. Moan. Complain. B!tch. Etc.

Come on, it's the same for everyone. Or do you want to be dumped down to Virgin where you won't have to worry about pesky KERS.

[LClan439]

Whine Whine Whine.

Not Massa, the fans. We want to see proper down to earth racing not gimmicks but then when someone who's actually doing it replies to a question we suddenly want to bash them for pointing out that they're just glorified playstation controllers now.

[kasandrasikl]

Why is this whining? Should he lie then? Didn't he say he has to adapt?

Btw I agree with him, those steering wheels are getting ridiculous.

[Romarionsion]

Why is this whining? Should he lie then? Didn't he say he has to adapt?

Btw I agree with him, those steering wheels are getting ridiculous.

Totally agree..

[AlabamaBoyz]

This is how many buttons you really need on a steering wheel.

I certainly agree that there's too many things on a steering wheel now. My 206 has indicator stalks, variable control for the wipers, radio controls, central display controls, fuel consumption display settings... it's madness.

When Mark Webber ran into the back of Heikki Kovalainen's Lotus last year, I'm wondering if he might have been distracted by the myriad of displays on his steering wheel, because his excuse was pathetic.

[Thomaswhitee]

I see Suttil will adopt well since he plays video games the most!!
Maybe Massa should hit the PS3 in a hurry!

[pkxlugbsbv]

In this case I have to agree with Massa

[Unrersvar]

Whine Whine Whine.

Not Massa, the fans. We want to see proper down to earth racing not gimmicks but then when someone who's actually doing it replies to a question we suddenly want to bash them for pointing out that they're just glorified playstation controllers now.

Exactly! There should be a limit to the number of buttons on the steering wheel. Aside from the gimmicks, all those buttons can make racing more unsafe. How can the driver focus on driving while poking around a load of buttons at the same time?

[tutkarussia]

Well rename the F1 steering wheel so it would fit the description of the device. How about "keyboard steering clutch gearing wing-adjuster display controlpad".

[jincomplet]

Whine Whine Whine.

Not Massa, the fans. We want to see proper down to earth racing not gimmicks but then when someone who's actually doing it replies to a question we suddenly want to bash them for pointing out that they're just glorified playstation controllers now.

I'm sure everybody would just love and prefer to drive karts and lower formula cars, but this is how modern F1 is and they have to deal with it. I don't see the rest of the 23 drivers complaining. Besides, KERS will be used only on the straights, and so would be the adjustable rear wing. They don't have to worry about them in corners, and I'm sure they're capable drivers and won't just randomly push it wherever and cause accidents.

KERS was there on 2009 cars and there weren't any problems. And it's just one or maybe two more buttons to adjust the rear wing. If he's already complaining about them, saying "Too many buttons, but well, what to do, I'll have to adapt," then that sounds like a little defeatist attitude to me.

[KatoabamyHant]

I agree with Massa, and I'm sure he'll adapt.

[UncoonsKala]

Give them a steering wheel with no buttons and a stick shift and clutch please And oh ya a 1000 hp engine too

[ButKnillinoi]

Massa is right. Remember when Schumacher spun off at the Nurburgring while leading the race, recovered and won? He told the reporters afterwards it was because he was playing with the buttons on his steering wheel!

[AnneseeKels]

Felipe is right, but he has to play the game. These multitaske challenge will only hamper him and hamilton.

[kennyguitar]

Give them a steering wheel with no buttons and a stick shift and clutch please And oh ya a 1000 hp engine too

AMEN!


I'd LOVE to see them simply go back to an overpowered car with a steering wheel, clutch and a brake pedal. The rev limiter can save the engine in the event of a missed shift. With engines that essentially operated in the 17-20K RPM range, Then heaping on KERS, keeping up with the shifts might be an issue. With much lower revving turbo engines on the horizon, a ban on the semi automatics would be lovely.

With the distracted driving laws now in effect, It's already illegal to use hand held cell phones and text messaging in cars in my state. I could lump GPS units right in there as well especially the OEM in dash units. I'm wondering when our nanny state is going to start saying the car itself is a distraction.

I hate playing most of the games my kids play on PS3 and Xbox because of the controls. Thank god for the steering wheel and pedals we have for the racing games. Now I just have to get a decent aviation style set of controls.

[tipokotap]

Give them a steering wheel with no buttons and a stick shift and clutch please And oh ya a 1000 hp engine too

Now then he might have a leg to stand on suggesting he's overworked. Thousands of manual gear changes a race round somewhere like Monaco and then, yeah, perhaps he's got a point.

[russianstallian]

This is how many buttons you really need on a steering wheel.

I certainly agree that there's too many things on a steering wheel now. My 206 has indicator stalks, variable control for the wipers, radio controls, central display controls, fuel consumption display settings... it's madness.

When Mark Webber ran into the back of Heikki Kovalainen's Lotus last year, I'm wondering if he might have been distracted by the myriad of displays on his steering wheel, because his excuse was pathetic.

Hmmmm - did they have the ability to change the weather with that button?

[AnneseeKels]

Hmm, a few buttons at the seering wheel, thoose are grat fun.

Damn, missed the red light at the end of the pitlane. Sorry Kimi.