Ferrari’s Technological Innovations Part 18: How Schumacher turned the Steering Wheel into a Computer

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 arrival of Michael Schumacher at Ferrari in 1996 immediately drove innovation at Maranello, leading to the introduction of the steering-wheel computer with integrated controls, as suggested by him.

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.

The steering wheel of the F310, developed for the 1996 Formula 1 season, features the tachometer at the top and the "Manettini" at the bottom for vehicle adjustments.

In Italian, this name remained unchanged even when, in 2004, the Formula 1-style steering wheel was introduced in Ferrari's production cars. By turning the "Manettini" and feeling the clicks, the driver could make increasingly complex adjustments. By the 1997 season, the steering wheel had evolved, incorporating a wide range of functions, including radio communication with the track engineer and even a button to drink from the onboard bottle. Within just a few years, the steering wheel controlled everything: neutral gear, pit lane speed limiter, differential settings, DRS activation, engine adjustments, and much more.

The first road car to adopt the "Manettino" was the F430, introduced in 2004, allowing the driver to adjust torque distribution based on driving style.

As always, Formula 1 introduced this advanced technology to road cars. The first was the F430 in 2004, where the "Manettino" on the steering wheel even allowed the driver to adjust the torque distribution on the rear wheels according to the selected driving mode. Today, discussing these technologies might seem commonplace, as modern cars provide an immense amount of information, much of it through steering wheel controls. However, looking back 20 or 25 years, this was far from obvious. That’s the point. It is essential to recognize Ferrari's foresight in seizing an opportunity that is now used not only in Formula 1 but across the entire automotive industry.

The "Manettino" is still present on all Ferrari road cars today and remains a distinctive feature of Maranello’s vehicles. Pictured here is the F80, introduced a few months ago.