By switching off traction control on track, racing drivers can utilize their skills and intuition to push the car harder and achieve maximum performance, rather than being potentially restricted by the car's electronic control unit (ECU).
Traction control is a safety feature designed to prevent wheelspin by reducing engine power or applying brakes when it detects a loss of grip. While essential for road driving and safety, this system can sometimes hinder performance on a race track.
Racing drivers often choose to disable traction control for several key reasons:
- Maximize Control: Disabling the system allows drivers to have complete, unfiltered control over the power delivered to the wheels using their intuition on the throttle.
- Push the Limits: On a track, skilled drivers need to explore the very edge of the car's grip limits. Traction control can intervene too early or too aggressively, preventing the driver from using slight amounts of controlled wheelspin to help rotate the car or accelerate optimally out of corners.
- Avoid ECU Intervention: As referenced, racing drivers will use their intuition on the throttle and wheel to help push the car, rather than potentially being held back by the car's ECU. The ECU's response through traction control might cut power when a driver is intentionally using techniques that involve brief loss of traction for speed, like a controlled power slide to tighten a line.
- Consistency: Experienced drivers aim for consistent lap times. They can often achieve greater consistency and speed by managing traction manually, adapting instantly to changing track conditions or tire wear, something an electronic system might not do as optimally in a performance context.
Turning off traction control requires a high level of skill and precise control over the throttle and steering, as the driver becomes solely responsible for managing the car's grip. For inexperienced drivers or on unfamiliar tracks, keeping traction control engaged, perhaps at a less intrusive setting if available, is often recommended for safety and learning.
Essentially, on a track, performance takes priority, and professional racing drivers trust their ability to manage traction better and faster than the car's computer system can for optimal speed.
