Dual-axis steering

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The Dual-Axis Steering (short: DAS , German : Zweiachselenken ) is a system developed by Mercedes for the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship that influences the position of the front wheels in relation to one another by pulling the steering wheel.

functionality

The driver activates the system by pulling the steering wheel towards him. As a result, it adjusts the toe-in of the front wheels, which means that they turn slightly inward. As a result, there is greater friction, the tire temperature rises faster and more evenly. This also increases tire wear, which is also seen as a disadvantage when cornering, so that the system is only used on straight lines. To reset the toe-in to the original position, the driver pushes the steering wheel forward again. DAS offers a great advantage on routes with long straights, as the changed angle of the front tires can have a very long effect here.

application

The system was used for the first time in the Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance on the second day of the winter test drives on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the run-up to the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship. Only Mercedes uses such a system, no other designer has a similar system designed. Ferrari indicated a development, which, according to team boss Mattia Binotto, will not be available before the middle of the season. For the Formula 1 World Championship in 2021 , DAS will be banned by a rule change.

criticism

legality

Immediately after the system was discovered to be used for onboard recording, questions began to rise as to whether this system was legal. Mercedes consulted the FIA during the development of the system about the legality of the development; The World Motorsport Federation had no objection that the system was legal.

After the second free practice session at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix , Red Bull Racing officially protested against Mercedes because both drivers had used the DAS during practice. The protest referred to the fact that it was a moving aerodynamic part, which is prohibited by the regulations. In addition, it is a part of the wheel suspension that, according to the regulations, cannot be changed while driving. The protest was dismissed, the stewards viewed the dual-axis steering both physically and functionally as a permissible part of the steering. Although it is not a conventional steering system, it cannot be considered part of the wheel suspension.

safety

On the second day of test drives in Spain, Hamilton and Bottas drove with the system for the first time. When asked whether DAS would possibly impair the safety of the driver, Hamilton said no. The FIA ​​also did not object to the system in terms of safety.

Individual evidence

  1. a b c formula1.com: DAS explained: What we know so far about Mercedes' trick new steering system. Formula 1, February 20, 2020, accessed on July 3, 2020 (English).
  2. gpfans.com: Dual Axis Steering (DAS): What is it, and why is it causing controversy? GP fans, April 10, 2020, accessed on July 3, 2020 .
  3. Red Bull lodge official protest against Mercedes DAS system. Formula 1, July 3, 2020, accessed on July 3, 2020 (English).
  4. Heiko Stritzke, Luke Smith: Red Bull protest rejected: Mercedes’s DAS system is legal. Motorsport-Total.com, July 4, 2020, accessed July 4, 2020 .