Grand Prix design

Having made a Grand Prix car handle properly and hold the road well, the next thing is to pass the control to the driver.

In the design and layout of steering wheels the use of a circular wheel with three spokes is universal, but there the similarity ends. Attachment to the steering-wheel boss varies between set-screws, Allen screws and Phillips screws, and from three to eight in number.

Rims vary from wood to leather and plastic covering, and some designers like to keep the driver reminded of who the owner is, with names or badges in the centre, while others prefer to remain anonymous.

It is also interesting that some gear-lever knobs are close to the wheel rim, such as Lotus and Brabham, while others are comparatively far away. On the question of instruments it is clear that some designers need to know more from their drivers than others.—D.S.J.