The modern Formula One steering wheel weighs 1.5kg, costs £30,000 and takes six weeks to build. It allows the driver to change the behaviour of their cars at the flick of a button. Each driver has a specific design suited to their own preferences, from the space behind the wheel to change gear, the molded grips or the colour of buttons on their dash. Lewis Hamilton’s favoured colour, for instance, is purple. Here, Sportsmail's Phil Duncan takes a closer look at Hamilton’s title-winning steering wheel. The steering wheel that Lewis Hamilton used during his winning season in 2014 Formula One Championship . DRS . Drag Reduction System changes rear wing to reduce drag. Can only be used after the first two laps, in DRS zones and if Lewis is within a second of the car in front. Left-hand side thumb wheels . To adjust the brake, engine and other settings, including pedal map, which can manage how the car is accelerating. OT . The overtake mode provides a boost. Nico Rosberg used this without authorisation from Mercedes as he attempted to pass team-mate Hamilton in last year's Bahrain Grand Prix. Hamilton also used it, again without authorisation, to defend his lead at the subsequent race in Spain. Lewis Hamilton (centre) celebrates after winning the Formula One Grand Prix Championship in 2014 . Strategy . 12 strategic options - including the way he releases and recovers energy or turbo use. Centre . 15 switches to change set-up - such as when tyres are changed to different compounds. Menu . 12 engine settings such as energy management or the MGU-K energy recovery system. Hamilton takes part in the Formula One pre-season first test day at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona . Mark . Identifies a point of interest in the data 'marked' by the driver. RS . Race start mode activated on the grid before the start. Talk . To talk to his team during the race. Messages about performance are now outlawed. Right-hand side thumb wheels . Adjusts differential maximising exit speed from corners. The World Champion during pre-season testing at the Circuito de Jerez in Jerez, Spain earlier in the year . PC . Pit Confirm sends an automated message to tell the Mercedes crew Hamilton is coming into the pits. PL . Restricts speed in the pit-lane to 50mph. The screen . Shows speed, split times and when to change gear or alter brake balance. N . Puts the car into neutral. Hamilton will be hoping he can keep hold of his title during the upcoming Formula One season .
The modern Formula One steering wheels takes six weeks to build . Each wheel weighs 1.5kg, costs £30,000 and works at the click of a button . All are designed to the specifications of each Formula One driver . Lewis Hamilton's is purple and has specifically molded grips and lights .