Yahoo Autos How Formula 1 Steering Wheels Have Evolved Since the 1950s
When we talk about Formula 1 cars and how they've changed over the years, we tend to focus on engines. Many fans, for example, miss the V10 and V12 engines from the past. But while the sound they make is definitely lacking, the turbocharged V6 that's currently in use is clearly a technological marvel.
Downforce also gets a lot of attention. Cars like the Lotus 79 are considered revolutionary not for their engines but for how they took advantage of ground effects. What about steering wheels, though? They're incredibly important, yet often overlooked.
We've obviously come a long way since the 1950s. Wheels these days are far more complicated and aren't even wheel-shaped anymore. So how did we get from a round piece of wood and a little bit of metal to the electronics-heavy steering units currently in use?
The video below tracks the major changes, from Sir Stirling Moss' basic 1957 steering wheel to James Hunt's leather-wrapped version, Gerhard Berger's wheel from 1989, and all the way to present day. Even if you haven't thought about it much, it's still seriously cool to see all the changes.
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