sAx wrote:Cam wrote:So it is an engine setting or code?
If that question is directed to me, then for my $0.02c its an instruction (explicit) to change the knurled wheel to a setting that controls multiple input parameters, chiefly amongst which is peak engine torque. The instruction to select a lower performance setting, guides the drivers to maintain positions as the lower conservation setting means that the racing is over (implicit). Wherever we place our money, the RB drivers, team principal, technical director and Seb's race engineer, all knew what it meant and it does not require a great leap of the imagination for us to understand similarly.
Autosport is saying it's a code - not a specific actual setting on the one knurled wheel.
Webber was leading the race after the final stops, the Mercedes threat receding as Hamilton desperately saved fuel, so team orders were imposed. 'Multi 21' both drivers were instructed, a code that essentially means turn everything down, cease racing, hold position, save the tyres.
And I think this makes more sense as I find it difficult to believe that one setting on one knurled wheel could override every other setting on the steering wheel. Here's an overview and you can see all the settgins that one would adjust - there's a few.
Button Function*
DIF Adjust the behaviour of the differential
N Puts gearbox into neutral
RADIO Push to talk to the team
X Sets a marker in the telemetry to indicate a problem is encountered.
DRINK Push to drink
DEFAULT Reset certain settings to their original values
TYRE Driver adjust this knob to tell the team about the tires and adjust electronics to suit different tires
KERS Select KERS settings
CLUTCH Select clutch adjustment
MIX Change engine's mixture settings
FW. EN Tells the team if there's a need to change front flaps angle
REV Allow more engine revs to pass another car
OIL Activates supplementary oil tank for engine
OK Driver acknowledge if radio does not work
FAIL Command all systems into a fail-safe mode just to get the car going again
PIT Activate speed limiter in the pit lane
TRO Change throttle pedal map
*The functions of the buttons and switches are estimates.
Also, as the ECU is a standard unit - the same settings would apply to all the other teams. Nico's video is good example where he shows many settings and discusses what some of the do. I think you would need to adjust a lot of these, not just one, to go into 'cruise' mode.
[youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTGBr0jY40s[/youtube]
