Why F1 steering wheels have over 20 buttons

F1 steering wheel has a design unlike any other common car. F1 steering wheels serve an obvious and important function. But F1 drivers use them to do much more than just point the car in the right direction.

This year designers have had to squeeze in buttons for Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems and Drag Reduction Systems along with the usual array of toggles, switches and levers.

Now F1 is being broadcast in high definition it’s easier for us to see what the driver’s up to at the wheel.

Here’s a closer look at Sauber’s steering wheel and what their drivers have to control while lapping at over 200mph: