A closer look into the world of Formula 1 reveals the intriguing minutiae that often go unnoticed. Among these are the personal modifications that each driver, such as Lewis Hamilton, makes to their steering wheel. Oliver Bearman, a Ferrari junior, has been keenly observing these tweaks, particularly those made by Hamilton to his Ferrari steering wheel.
Customizing the steering wheel to their preference is par for the course for any F1 driver. They often request specific switches and dials to be placed in particular positions to facilitate speedy adjustments on the fly. This becomes a part of their muscle memory and plays a crucial role in their performance on the track. Bearman, self-admittedly a “bit of a nerd” when it comes to this aspect of the car, pays keen attention to such modifications.
Every driver seeks to set up the car in a way that suits their driving style and preferences. Bearman, for instance, opts for a single clutch on his gearbox, diverging from the double clutch system favored by many of his peers on the grid. As the new Haas driver, Bearman exploited his time during the pre-season testing to not just familiarize himself with his car, but also to observe the setups of other drivers.
Being a Ferrari junior, Bearman has an intimate understanding of the Scuderia setup. However, his interest was piqued by the way a seven-time World Champion, Hamilton, customized his steering wheel after joining the team.
In a conversation with the media in Bahrain, including MSports, Bearman shared, “First of all, Lewis in the Ferrari, that was pretty cool. And seeing how much he’s changed on the steering wheel, for example, is something that caught my attention.”
Bearman noted that Hamilton had rearranged the placement of buttons and dials on the Ferrari wheel. He said, “Yeah, because on his Mercedes steering wheel the DRS button on Ferrari is neutral, so I think he moved a few things around.”
Bearman himself had to make similar adjustments when he joined Haas. He understands the importance of these changes, especially for someone like Hamilton who had spent a decade with the same car and had developed certain habits.
Bearman confessed that his interest in Hamilton’s setup was not due to his association with Ferrari, but rather a personal curiosity in the subject. He said, “I was interested, just I knew he would change a few things on the steering wheel, like it happens every year — and that was more out of interest watching what changes he’s made.”
He further emphasized the significance of being comfortable with the steering wheel, a key part of the F1 car that is no longer just a tool for steering. Bearman admitted that he is still acclimating himself to the Haas steering wheel after his experience on the Ferrari simulator.
He stated, “There are a few differences with the Haas steering wheel, and it’s not quite second nature, yet. I still have to look down when I press buttons, but that comes with the experience and more laps, and that’s what testing is all about.”
This in-depth look into the world of F1 is a testament to the attention to detail and personalization that goes into every aspect of the sport, right down to the steering wheel of a champion’s car.