Are Formula 1 Cars Equipped with Power Steering ?
This is a question all F1 fans have asked since the dawn of time. If you are looking for the answer to you are in the right place. Let’s start.
Formula 1 cars have been equipped with power steering since 1988. Ligier was the first team to introduce the technology during the 1988 season on the Ligier JS31. It took then 20 years for all the teams to have the system. The last team to introduce it in their cars did it around late 2010. Now all the cars have it.
The system is hydraulic. Electric power steering systems are forbidden by the FIA. The system was introduced due to the fact that F1 cars were, and still are but to a lesser extent, very demanding when it comes to driving. By adding a power steering, it made driving a little less physical for drivers.
Now, this is the short answer, if you are interested in the longer version, keep reading. There is much to explore such as history, rules & regulations, etc.
The History of Power Steering in F1 Cars
Before the introduction of the power steering in 1988, F1 cars were hard to steer. The old F1 cars of the 50s and 60s had very large steering wheels in order to have leverage, thus reducing the effort needed to turn the steering wheel. One disadvantage in having a bigger steering wheel was that the steering wheel was less precise when driving.
The effort was high because F1 cars are subject to a lot of down-force, which comes back through the wheels to the steering wheel and into the driver’s hands. Some teams with a low down-force introduced the power steering late in their car (Minardi 2001 for instance). Wanting to diminish the strain and effort supported by drivers pushed teams to integrate this technology.
As an example, Damon Hill, 1996 World Champion, installed training equipment in order to mimic is driving position and train is arm strength for turns. The aim for him was to be sufficiently fit and train in order to withstand the length of a full race. Although power steering makes driving less effortful for drivers it also deprives them of “sensing” the road. Drivers have more difficulty to have the feedback they need on their trajectory which is a disadvantage.
The system was introduced late to F1. It already existed on regular road cars in 1988 when it was first implemented. The thinking at the time was that such a system will, as stated above, deprive drivers of the feedback they need and also that it will make the car more important than the driver in deciding the winner of a race. Due to this, the implementation of the system was subject to some resistance by fans and authorities around the sport.
Now let’s see how the system works.
Power Steering Explained

Basically, when the drivers turn the steering wheel, an hydraulic assistance helps the column rotates the pinion gear and makes the rack move laterally. Which in turn moves the wheels in one direction or another. The system is actually hydraulic because it allows the rivers to better sense the track. The electrical power steering system reduces the sensations more than the hydraulic system. The electrical power steering is actually banned by the FIA.
Power Steering Regulations
Today the FIA regulations states that :
Power steering systems are allowed, but these must not be electronically controlled or powered. Four-wheel steering is forbidden. The car’s steering wheel, steering column and steering rack all have to pass an FIA impact test.
Manual Steering Vs Power Steering
Let’s seen now the pros and cons of both systems.
Generally speaking, power steering systems are quicker to respond to an output from the driver but are less precise. Whereas the manual steering systems are more precise but less responsive. This is due to the lack of assistance which forces to have a low gear ratio on a manual steering system in order to turn.
The next stage of development for power steering consists in keeping the advantages it brings while reducing its cons : a power steering system that can diminish the effort needed to turn in a race car, be responsive, and give the drivers as much feedback as possible.
The Link Between Power Steering and Four Wheel Steering
If we take it a step further, the next evolution of the power steering in F1 might be a four-wheel steering system. Some teams tried to implement the system on their cars such as Benetton in 1993. The system was then quickly banned by the FIA who deemed it to be expensive and too exotic.
The system actually was a bit dangerous since it cut drivers from their sensations. The system made the rear wheels turn slightly in order to anticipate the next turn. In some cases, it gave really weird sensations to drivers who were not controlling the rear wheels and made them feel that the car was not properly behaving.
Power Steering In Other Auto Sports
To conclude you will find below all there is to know about the presence of power steering in other racing competitions.
Formula 1 | Yes |
Formula 2 | No |
Formula E | No |
Indy Car | No |
Nascar | Yes |
Rally | Yes |
24H Le Mans | Yes |
As you can see some major racing competition still do not authorize the use of a power steering system. Most notably: power steering is not used in IndyCar, Formula 2 and Formula E.
To Sum It Up
F1 cars are equipped with power steering. The system was installed late in F1 cars. In fact, it already existed in regular road cars before the system entered F1. This is due to a debate going on in the racing world: is losing driving sensations worth making driving less difficult? As shown earlier, some major racing organisations chose not to implement the system. F1 however did. Maybe because even if F1 cars are using this system, they remain very difficult to drive.