In Formula 1 this year every competitive team is running a seamless shift gearbox. I would like to know how it works. Could anyone explain me what is the difference between a seamless shift gearbox and an automatic gearbox.
I know that John Barnard introduced the semi-automatic box on the Ferrari with the shifters in the early '90s. Then, a few years later came a gearbox shifted all by itself: it allowed the driver to race the car like a kart. Then the rules brought back the shifters on the steering wheel. So today I would like to know:
1) Is a seamless shift gearbox the same as a CVT (continously variable transmission?
2) Do drivers have to shift gears themself.
3) How many gears do these transmission have?
4) Do they have discreet ratios?
Thanks in advance
