Bullshit. Every one seems to have forgotten the basic tenet of usability: “Know the user, and YOU are not the user.”

If a car designer tries to create a similar steering wheel for a production vehicle, I can understand the uproar. But for a customized piece of machinery like a formula 1 car, the discussion is moot.

Most people don’t understand what a motor racing car is. Comparing it with an ordinary road vehicle is idiocy. A casual driver never deals with issues like configuring the fuel mixture, adjusting down-forces and wings. He never drives at speeds of over 300 kmph. He never experiences g-forces of over 4. A Formula 1 car is a complex piece of machinery… Trying to apply ‘iPod style’ usability principles will not work…

The definition of usability is ‘The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use.’ And I see no reason why the F10 steering wheel doesn’t adhere to this definition. It is designed for

• a ‘specified users’ – a Formula 1 racing driver
• ‘achieve specified goals’ – win the race
• ‘effectiveness’ and ‘efficiency’- the various functions available to the racing driver to win the race
• ‘satisfaction’ – a F1 car is built around a single person, customized to his needs.
• ‘a specified context of use’ – the car and its components are built for one thing only – speed and maneuverability.

As a formula 1 aficionado and a UX practitioner, I belive the F10 steering wheel does what is supposed to do — help the driver race his vehicle.