Head: Driver key to starts, despite launch control

A host of electronic gizmos were outlawed at the end of 1993, but the regulations governing engine electronics have been changed and certain driver aids are to make a return to F1 at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

The combination of traction and launch control enables drivers to make text book starts at the touch of a button immediately when the lights go green. But Formula 1 observers are concerned that this will eliminate any overtaking at the start and that all the cars will simply arrive at the first corner in grid order.

But Head disagrees, saying: "Teams will be using automatic starts, although the trigger for the starts will need to come from the driver. He will need to respond to the lights going out and give a command through whatever mechanism to initiate the start."

Motorsport director for BMW Dr Mario Theissen echoes Heads sentiments.

"Although [San Marino GP winner] Ralf [Schumacher] demonstrated in Imola that a manual start can be perfect," he said, "we decided to continue with the development of traction and launch control. Different approaches can and will be taken and it remains to be seen which one is best."

Engine electronics help to reduce wheelspin when the car is accelerating and can use various methods including ignition cutting, ignition retards and also throttle closure.

Head believes the way the team's systems are developed and implemented will play an important part in determining a Formula 1 car's overall competitiveness at certain races.

"Traction control will be conducted by different teams in different ways," said Head. "There are a number of different ways, or a combination of ways of achieving an end result. It would certainly be very significant if the qualifying or race are wet, or run on a damp track. It will probably be of less importance if the race and qualifying are dry, but certainly there will be many tracks this year where it will be a deciding factor."

Cars can also use fully automated gear changes instead of the current semi-automatic systems, but Head believes the change will have little effect in terms of performance.

"Being able to fully automate the gearbox probably won't make a great deal of difference," said Head, "but will just mean that instead of the driver responding to lights on the dashboard telling him when to change gear, it will change up and down automatically."