Cars
Ferrari’s Technological Innovations Part 18: How Schumacher turned the Steering Wheel into a Computer
Ferrari revolutionized steering wheels with Schumacher’s push for innovation in 1996. The "Manettino", introduced in Formula 1, evolved into road cars by 2004, enhancing control and performance. Today, it remains a defining feature of Ferrari vehicles.
In 1981, Gilles Villeneuve refused to adopt the innovation of the electro-hydraulic paddle shifter. In 1996, however, Schumacher pushed for innovation, taking advantage of major advancements in electronics to integrate useful controls into the steering wheel, helping the driver enhance performance and maintain full control. The increasingly cramped cockpits made it difficult to access traditional controls and view the dashboard, which was progressively obscured by the steering wheel. At Maranello, they set to work intensively, with constant support from the legendary driver, to determine which commands could be incorporated into the wheel. Another crucial challenge was ensuring the transmission of impulses, data, and messages through a steering wheel that, by regulation, had to be instantly detachable in case of an accident.
The first key feature was the tachometer, placed in a perfectly visible position at the top. Also on the upper section were the most important indicator lights. As work progressed, new opportunities emerged. The breakthrough came when engineers and the driver decided they were no longer modifying a steering wheel—they were building a computer that functioned as a steering wheel. A specialized computer, designed for use during races, operated with gloves, without the need to look away from the track. This was the moment when the so-called "Manettini" were invented.
