by Gabrielle DeSantis

After a dramatic weekend at the 2021 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, we learned that Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic tire lockup on corner one of the restart was due to something called the “Magic Button.” What is this magic button, and what does it do? How could something so seemingly useful cause Lewis Hamilton to throw away what could well have been a pole position in the Formula 1 Driver’s Championship? These F1 cars are home to many hidden features and secrets.

Lewis Hamilton blames magic button for Azerbaijan loss 

First of all, what is this “magic button?” According to Motorsports.com, it is something that has been called a couple of names over the years. It is most commonly referred to as the “magic paddle” or “magic button.” 

When F1 changed to hybrid cars in 2014, it required the braking system to get an update as well. There needed to be more electronic assistance for brake balance, given the extra onus on energy recovery via the MGU-K. 

Brakes are the most important part of any racing

RELATED: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Formula One Champ Lewis Hamilton

In all forms of racing, brakes are where the real speed comes from. For F1, this is doubly true. In fact, there is a myriad of tools available to F1 drivers to calibrate their car’s brake bias. In earlier F1 days, brake bias was controlled by a lever in the cockpit. These days, as the cars have gotten more complex, so too has the brake bias controls, causing them to move to the steering wheel. 

As far as Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes, there is one dial and two buttons to set brake bias and another rotary dial to control engine braking. And, of course, the magic button. 

What does the magic button do in F1? 

Since the brake settings are complicated and numerous, the magic button serves as an override that sends the brake bias hard to the front. This setting is not very useful in most situations, but it can save a driver’s skin every so often, especially when they need heat in the tires and brakes quickly.

The magic button sends 90 percent of the brake bias to the front axle instead of the more normal 55-60 percent on the front axle. According to Motorsports.com, the magic button also stops the MGU-K from recovering energy. 

So, what happened to Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix? 

The reports say that Hamilton had engaged the magic button on the formation lap because he wanted to heat his tires before the standing restart caused by Verstappen’s crash. This was one of many clever ideas used by Hamilton to enjoy his status as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time. 

Lewis Hamilton got back to his grid spot, and the race restarted. The green light hit, and the race re-commenced. When Lewis swerved away from Sergio Perez right before turn one, he accidentally hit the magic button. So, when he went to brake for turn one, his tires locked, and Lewis Hamilton went sailing straight ahead and off track. 

Since this accidental mashing of the magic button caused Hamilton to end the race with zero points, Mercedes is now interested in changing the steering wheel layout. Hopefully, with some tweaks, the Petronas squad can avoid this frustrating situation in the future.

The post What Is the Mercedes Magic Button? And How Did it Lose Lewis Hamilton the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Since there has been a shortage of new cars in the past few months, many car buyers might think that it’s almost impossible to find a good deal. However, with enough research, a good car deal can almost always be found. Fortunately, Ari Janessian – an auto broker for Boston Automotive Consulting – took the leg work out finding a good deal on some of the new cars on the market. Here are 10 of the best lease deals that you can take advantage of for the month of June.

Please note that all of these leases are assuming that 10,000 miles per year will be driven and only the inception fees (first month’s payment, tax, title, registration, and other fees) will be due at signing. Also, none of the lease deals include tax, as your local tax rate can vary.

2021 Toyota Camry LE – $269/month plus tax

RELATED: Is Getting the ‘Invoice Price’ on a New Car a Good Deal?

If you’re looking for a dependable, reliable, and comfortable sedan, then it’s hard to pass on the 2021 Toyota Camry. The Camry is a legendary stalwart in the mid-size sedan category and it seemingly gets better with age. This lease deal is for the LE trim level, which comes standard with a host of safety and tech-savvy features like Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility.

2021 Honda Accord LX – $280/month plus tax

Another mainstay in the mid-size sedan segment is the 2021 Honda Accord. In its entry-level LX form, the Accord gives its occupants all of the basic necessities including the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist features, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and dual-zone climate control.

2021 Honda CR-V LX AWD – $305/month plus tax

If you need something larger than a mid-size sedan, then the 2021 Honda CR-V can give you all of the space you need for up to five adults and all of their stuff. The Honda CR-V is a perennial favorite among reviewers like Kelley Blue Book and JD Power, so it’s no wonder that it has been in the market for so long.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas S 4Motion – $365/month plus tax

Having a three-row SUV is great, but having precise German engineering and superior fit and finish is another. Luckily, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas is there if you want a larger SUV with a good build quality and perks like two years of free maintenance.

2021 Lexus ES 350 Base – $415/month plus tax

Stepping over the luxury sedan category, the 2021 Lexus ES 350 offers buyers a super plush ride and excellent interior quality. In addition to class-leading style, the ES 350 also offers an excellent blend of fuel efficiency and power with its 203-hp, turbocharged engine.

2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic – $505/month plus tax

If you like your luxury cars to hail from Germany, the Mercedes-Benz C300 could work for you. As the entry-level sedan in the lineup, the C300 blends power and prestige with an affordable price making it a great way for almost anyone to get into a luxury sedan.

2022 Acura MDX Base AWD – $550/month plus tax

The Acura MDX was completely redesigned for the 2022 model year and with it came a host of technological and safety updates. Additionally, the MDX now has sharper styling and will soon have a Type S variant. However, this lease deal is for the base model.

2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport – $360/month plus tax

If you need a rugged outdoor rig but also have use for a truck bed, then the 2021 Jeep Gladiator could be the best option. In addition to its undeniable ruggedness and capability, the Jeep Gladiator offers perks like a Cargo Management pack that includes a 400-watt power inverter, under-seat storage, and a bed-mounted 115-volt outlet.

2021 Chevy Colorado – $310/month plus tax

If you want a mid-size truck will full-size capability, then the 2021 Chevy Colorado has a lot of offer. According to Chevrolet, the Colorado is able to tow up to 7,000 pounds, haul up to 1,500 pounds, and can even achieve up to 25 mpg.

2022 Kia Carnival LX – $375/month plus tax

The all-new Kia Carnival replaced the long-running Sedona for the 2022 model year. It brought with it a fair amount of bold styling in addition to a lot of safety features and a well-appointed interior.

Lease deals may vary

While the following lease deals are great, keep in mind that these prices are based on national lease specials for the month of June 2021. Pricing and other discounts can vary by dealer and can be different depending on the region you’re in as well. We suggest shopping between two to three local dealers to get the best deal possible.

The post 10 Great Lease Deals for June 2021 appeared first on MotorBiscuit.