Okay, so I was super curious about whether F1 cars are manual or automatic. I mean, these things are beasts, hitting insane speeds, and I always pictured the drivers furiously shifting gears like in a movie. So, I dove in to find out the truth.
Digging for Answers
First, I started poking around online. I figured there had to be tons of info out there, and I was right. I quickly found out that F1 cars are definitely NOT manual.
Instead, they use something called a “semi-automatic gearbox.” It’s a fancy way of saying the driver doesn’t use a clutch pedal and a traditional stick shift.
How it all Works
It is my understanding that the semi-automatic system is a mix of electronic and mechanical parts. When i started learning more about F1 cars I found out that it is more convenient to use the semi-automatic gearbox at high RPM during races.
Putting it All Together
So, basically, F1 cars aren’t manual. They’ve got this high-tech semi-automatic system that lets the drivers change gears super fast without messing with a clutch.
