F1 Pedals | How It Works
New for 2023, our #HowItWorks series takes you deeper into the technology that defines performance in Formula One. In this edition, Simulation and Demonstration Driver Anthony Davidson breaks down one of the most fundamental—but often overlooked—control systems in an F1 car: the pedals.
The Driver’s Direct Connection to Performance
In a Formula One car, every movement matters. While steering wheels are packed with complex switches and digital controls, the pedals remain the most direct physical link between the driver and the car’s raw performance.
There are typically two primary pedals:
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Throttle (accelerator)
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Brake
Simple in appearance, but incredibly advanced in function.
The Brake Pedal: Precision Under Extreme Load
The brake pedal in an F1 car is unlike anything found in road cars. It is:
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Extremely stiff
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Designed for maximum sensitivity
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Capable of handling enormous braking forces
Drivers don’t press it—they load it. At high-speed corners, they apply pressure with incredible precision to control deceleration and balance.
Brake performance is also constantly managed alongside:
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Tyre temperature
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Brake temperature
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Energy recovery systems (ERS)
This means braking is not just about stopping—it’s about controlling the entire car.
The Throttle: Control Beyond Speed
The throttle is equally critical, especially in modern F1 where traction and energy management play a huge role.
Drivers don’t simply “accelerate”—they modulate power delivery to:
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Prevent wheelspin out of slow corners
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Manage tyre degradation
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Optimise energy deployment from hybrid systems
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Maintain stability through high-speed sections
Smooth throttle application often makes the difference between gaining or losing tenths of a second per lap.
Footwork That Defines a Lap
What makes F1 driving so unique is the constant transition between braking and throttle. In many corners, drivers are:
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Braking late and hard
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Rolling off pressure mid-corner
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Reapplying throttle almost instantly on exit
This creates a continuous rhythm of precision footwork that must be perfectly timed at every circuit.
Even a small inconsistency can affect:
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Lap time
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Tyre life
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Race strategy
Inside the Cockpit Perspective
As Anthony Davidson explains, understanding pedals is key to understanding driver performance. While telemetry shows data on braking points and throttle traces, the real challenge lies in how drivers adapt those inputs corner by corner, lap after lap.
Every circuit demands a different approach:
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Heavy braking tracks require maximum control under pressure
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Fast-flowing circuits demand smooth, minimal pedal transitions
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Street circuits require absolute precision with no margin for error
Small Inputs, Massive Impact
In Formula One, the pedals may look simple, but they control everything:
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Speed
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Balance
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Energy usage
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Tire management
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Race strategy execution
They are the quiet foundation of every lap time.
And while the technology behind the car continues to evolve, the principle remains the same—ultimate performance still comes down to how perfectly a driver can use two pedals under extreme pressure.
