From a simple, round wheel to a complex command center, the Formula 1 steering wheel is a technological marvel that has evolved dramatically over the decades. This post traces its evolution and breaks down the myriad buttons, rotaries, and switches that drivers operate at over 200 mph. Modern F1 wheels have over 25 buttons and switches, controlling everything from brake balance, differential settings, and engine mapping to radio communication and the driver's drink system. The central LCD screen provides the driver with a wealth of real-time information, including lap times, sector splits, gear selection, tire temperatures, and ERS deployment levels. Each wheel is a bespoke piece of carbon fiber art, custom-molded to the driver's hands, and can cost upwards of $50,000 to produce. It's the primary interface between the driver and the incredibly complex machine they pilot.