From GMM

The secret of Formula 1 team McLaren-Mercedes' run of pace in the last two Grands Prix, in Great Britain in the wet and in Germany on dry pavement, may have been revealed today by a British newspaper.

McLaren's steering wheel

A technical report published on the Daily Telegraph website said back-to-back grand prix winner Lewis Hamilton, and his teammate Heikki Kovalainen, are making use of a unique four-paddle steering wheel.

With the conventional two paddles for changing gears, the extra two paddles allow the drivers to easily select different engine torque settings throughout the course of a lap, the renowned writer Mark Hughes claimed.

The solution could be allowing McLaren drivers to limit wheel spin under acceleration out of corners, thus making canny use of the new-for-2008 ban on traction control.

"This is part of McLaren's current performance superiority over Ferrari," Hughes added.


Photo Credit : McLaren