The main reason why many controls on Ferrari automobiles—ranging from the starter button to the driving mode selector—are clustered on the steering wheel is to prevent drivers from taking their hands and eyes off the road during high-performance driving. Adapted from racing tracks to road cars, this design philosophy aims to provide a safe and fast control interface without interrupting the driver's interaction with the vehicle.
A Philosophy Extending from Formula 1 to Road Cars
While controls in standard cars are distributed across the dashboard, center console, and stalk controls, in a Ferrari they are located directly on the steering wheel itself. This approach is not merely practical; it stems from a safety-focused necessity. Especially during fast cornering or high-tempo driving, taking your hand off the steering wheel and reaching for the center console is both dangerous and weakens vehicle control.
Ferrari inherits this legacy directly from Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsports. In F1 cars, the steering wheel is not just a device for changing direction, but a command center from which all the vehicle's systems are managed. The brand first integrated this concept into its road cars starting with the F430 model, moving turn signals, headlights, windshield wipers, and driving mode selectors onto the steering wheel.
The Balance Between Manettino and Physical Control
Located in the bottom-right corner of the steering wheel and known as the "Manettino," the rotary driving mode selector is designed to adapt instantly to varying driving conditions. Through this switch, the driver can alter the vehicle's electronic assists and dynamic control systems on the fly. This system continues to feature in new-generation vehicles, including the brand's first electric model, the Luce.
That said, it cannot be said that everything in the car is on the steering wheel. Only functions that are frequently used and of critical importance during driving are gathered in this area. Furthermore, unlike many of today's brands, rather than transitioning entirely to touchscreens, Ferrari preserves physical buttons to maintain tactile feedback and reduce the driver's need to look at a screen.
Industry Reflections and Ergonomic Approach
At a time when cockpits in the automotive industry are increasingly digitalized and all controls are imprisoned within massive touchscreens, Ferrari's physical and ergonomic steering-wheel-focused approach creates a striking contrast. The strategy of keeping physical buttons at the driver's fingertips to enhance driving safety offers an important engineering example of how user experience (UX) can be hardware-optimized in performance-oriented vehicle design.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ferrari's steering wheel design resist the trend toward fully touchscreen interfaces?
While the brand does not completely exclude digital displays, it keeps critical driving controls on the steering wheel via physical buttons and mechanical switches like the Manettino, thereby preserving tactile feedback and reducing the necessity of looking at a screen.
Does having so many buttons on the steering wheel ensure that the driver's hands never leave it?
No; the goal is not to keep hands completely stationary, but to minimize physical movements by keeping critical controls within the closest possible reach, thereby preventing the hand from being disconnected from the steering wheel for extended periods while driving.
*This news article was prepared based on data published by Webtekno — Artificial Intelligence.
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