# Senna @ 1990 F1 GP: what transmission is in his car? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 13, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senna-1990-f1-gp-what-transmission-is-in-his-car/768424 "2016-10-13T15:14:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senna-1990-f1-gp-what-transmission-is-in-his-car/768424/1 "2016-10-13T15:14:19Z")
Referring to [this footage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auXfAHHNSFo) of Ayrton Senna roaring through the circuit at Monaco in 1990. Question: what sort of transmission is in that car? He’s manually shifting (watch his right hand), and I’m guessing it’s a sequential manual. But what about the clutch and throttle? Is the car managing clutch and throttle when he shifts, or has he got a clutch pedal and he’s blipping the throttle himself to rev-match during downshifts? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senna-1990-f1-gp-what-transmission-is-in-his-car/768424/2 "2016-10-13T23:26:59Z")
From [wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_MP4/5) > [@](#): > > McLaren used the new car for half of the 1989 season using the Weismann Longitudinal Transmission from the MP4/4, and the MP4/5B with the Weismann Transverse Transmission for the last half of the 1989 season and for 1990, earning back to back drivers’ and constructors’ world titles with the type. I can probably dig up more info in a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senna-1990-f1-gp-what-transmission-is-in-his-car/768424/3 "2016-10-14T00:00:07Z")
Pretty sure it’s a fully manual transmission with traditional clutch. The '91 transmission is described this way: [QUOTE=Wikipedia] The MP4/6 raced throughout 1991 with a manual “H” pattern gearbox. A semi-automatic transmission was tested during the season, but was never regarded as good enough to be used in a race. Ferrari and Williams were the only teams using semi-automatic gearboxes during 1991. This makes the MP4/6 the last Formula One car to win a World Championship, either drivers or constructors, using a manual transmission or a V12 engine. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senna-1990-f1-gp-what-transmission-is-in-his-car/768424/4 "2016-10-15T05:24:53Z")
Just a standard gearbox with a talented driver. I’m a former Formula car pilot myself (a Tojeiro) and that video looks awesome! Of course my 1600 Kent motor never sounded like that :mad: Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senna-1990-f1-gp-what-transmission-is-in-his-car/768424/5 "2016-10-16T16:16:36Z")
Yeah, back then the drivers actually drove the cars. 😃