Sophia's Racing Setup: What You Never Knew Was Hidden in Her F3 Cockpit!
Channel: Sophia Floersch
Date: 26/03/2023

What does my cockpit - the workplace 😊 - look like in a 2023 FIA F3? I'll show you with the following short video. Seatbelts, seat, steering wheel, etc. 
My video quickly describes the main functionalities in the cockpit, especially the FIA F3 steering wheel. Pedals, lights, buttons, switches etc.. My fans know more than just the info from race reports. 
What is the brake bias / brake balance? What is it about? 
With the brake bias you control the brake force distribution between front and rear axle. The value is an indicator for the percentage distribution. Normally a value of 55-60% at the front and 45-40% at the rear is quite ok. Basically, it varies in subtleties from race track to race track. The distribution has an influence on the grip level of the tyres via temperature - therefore the much heard of Tyre Management is strongly influenced by the Brake Bias setting. As more braking power flows, the more braking effect, the more temperature in the tyre. A lot of braking power on one axle means that this axle locks faster. You may make several adjustments in one lap, depending on whether you are braking for a slow or fast corner. Or if you want to get the maximum out of the brakes, e.g. to overtake. 

Fun fact: Since the F3 tyres are really sensitive to the optimum temperature, perfect braking in the sense of maximum late and hard during a race is not perfect at all. The F3 tyre can withstand a maximum of one lap. Then it is quickly "dead". Very complex, so I'll dedicate one of the next videos to the tyres. Interested?

Also complex: the SC procedure. Pretty complicated rules by now. It's not just about catching up quickly and keeping up. Interesting for a short vlog?

Or the rear pedals on the steering wheel for the starting procedure. So we have the clutch on our finger. Hard to control, sometimes as a driver you're pretty helpless at the mercy of the technology. 

Side facts about the steering wheel:
At the end of 2022, the FIA F3 organisation tested the new steering wheel to be used this season at an official test in Jerez. The feedback from the drivers was critical, as you can read in some statements. In Bahrain I had the new steering wheel in my hands for the first time. What has changed? 
 
I also find the steering wheel rim simply too thick. My hands are not small, I wear a size 9 glove, but you still have the feeling that you can't get a good grip on the steering wheel.
Adjustability in the mount: No. The reason why I couldn't drive the first outing at the official tests in Bahrain. With the handlebar and mounting adapter, the steering wheel comes much too close to the body. You can only change this by shortening the handlebar. Very time-consuming and not so easy. At the second outing it was crooked. Means readjusting. Of course, when it fits, you know the position. But somehow I have the impression that it would all be a bit easier.

Have fun watching!

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#SophiaFloersch #f3 #BahrainGP #AlpineAcademy #AlpineF1 #steeringwheel #cockpitview 
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Thanks for watching !! 
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SOPHIA 
www.sophia-floersch.de

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