FORMULA ONE testing was shaken up on Thursday after Lewis Hamilton showed off a mystery new function on his steering wheel.
In the generally staid start to pre-season testing, which is yet to witness anything other than uninterrupted smooth running for the vast majority of teams, the paddock was left befuddled by the innovation.
From the cockpit camera on Hamilton’s Mercedes, viewers could clearly see his steering wheel move forwards and backwards at certain points of the track.
What’s more, the wheels appear to move as a result, altering the angle or ‘toe’ of attack.
This would have a useful effect on switching the wheels between speed and tyre-friendly straight line settings and the more angular setup that better suits corners.
Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz confirmed the “trombone” trick is not necessarily just being experimented with in testing.
This mode was also likened to the way Mercedes created a system to alter the car’s ride height while steering was in full lock.
This provided greater downforce at key moments and has since been deployed by rival teams.
However there is some speculation about whether FIA guidelines allow the steering wheel and toe to be manipulated in this way – or indeed whether rivals will attempt to shut off any potential loopholes in the rules.
Mercedes technical director James Allison stated after the feature’s emergence that it is fully above board.
Hamilton showed off the new mode during Thursday’s sessionCredit: Sky Sports F1
He said: “We have a system in the car, it’s a novel idea. We’ve got a name for it. It’s called DAS, if you’re interested.
“It just introduces an extra dimension to the steering, to the driver, that we hope will be useful during the year. But precisely how we use it, why we use it, that’s something we’ll keep to ourselves.
“This isn’t news to the FIA, it’s something that we’ve been talking to them about for some time.
“The rules are pretty clear about what’s permitted on steering systems, and we’re pretty confident that it matches all of these requirements.”
Hamilton insisted it is early days in using the system with it “no problem” to the car’s safety.
He said: “I’ve only had one morning using it, so I don’t really have a lot to talk about.
Hamilton clocked the most laps of any driver on the morning of day twoCredit: PA:Press Association
DAS IS GUT – HOW DAS COULD BENEFIT HAMILTON
- By moving the angle of the front wheels, to toe-in the wheel, it reduced the drag on the Mercedes on the straights by channelling the air away from the car.
- The yoke-like steering rack can also toe-out the wheels going into a tight corner, effectively giving the Mercedes’ drivers more grip.
- The other advantage could be to reduce the temperature in the tyres on the straights, preserving their life span, meaning fewer stops.
“We’re trying to get on top of it, understand it, but safety wise no problem today and the FIA are okay with the project. For me, it’s really encouraging to see that my team are continuing to innovate and stay ahead of the game.
“That’s all down to the great minds in the team and hopefully that’ll work to our benefit.”
The morning session of F1 2020 testing day two, shortened this year to just six days, saw Mercedes clock the most laps of the entire grid.
The 2019 champions were also the quickest team on day one, Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas taking a one-two as they once again led the lap count.
Lewis Hamilton talks about his experience testing the new Mercedes W11 Formula 1 racing car
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
