Modern race cars->ke148 are far removed from the days of old. There was time where traction control consisted of your right foot, every car had three pedals, and computers didn’t even exist. My, how things have changed. Modern, high-end racers are equipped with exponentially more computing power than man used to get to the moon. There are hybrid->ke147 drivetrains, traction control, multi-level ABS systems, active aerodynamics, adjustable suspensions and more, and all of this technology->ke1701 needs to be managed and controlled. To get an idea of how much work that really takes, Porsche has given us a quick look and overview of the steering wheel it has fitted inside its all-new 919 LMP1 Le Mans->ke1591 racer. It is pretty amazing.

There are 15 buttons, five adjustable knobs, four roller switches and six rear paddles; each one has a very specific function and use to help make the car faster and safer than ever before. There is also a large LCD screen dead center to let them see several pieces of telemetric information at any time.

The buttons range from simple functions like operating the headlamp flashers or the radio communications system, to more advanced features like adjusting brake bias. The paddles on the back are used to shift gears, operate the clutch, harvest electricity with brake regeneration and using stored electrical power for boost. You can see a diagram after the break that lists every button, knob and switch, as well as what they are used for.

Click past the jump to read more about Porsche 919 Hybrid.

Why It Matters

Driving may seem easy, and it may seem like cars haven't advanced all that much in the last few decades, but seeing what it takes to drive, control and operate such impressive machinery as the Porsche 919 brings things back into perspective.

These cars are faster, handle better, and get better fuel economy than ever before. These machines are advancing faster than you can ever imagine.

Porsche 919

The Porsche 919 represents a milestone for the German company. Not only is this car the first factory-backed LMP1 car since 1998, it is the companies first hybrid LMP entry. The car is powered by an extremely advanced and efficient hybrid system that relies on gasoline power instead of diesel like Audi R18 racer. It uses a turbocharged, 2.0-liter V-4 engine that produces 500 horsepower. This is mated to a high-capacity battery and energy recovery system that is capable of producing enough power to drive a e-Golf from New York to LA.

Sadly, at its racing debut at Le Mans this year, only one car was able to finish the race, and it finished 11th overall.