F1 2020 Pre-Season Testing Thread

[jjn9128]

The longer I think about it the more I get the feeling that Mercedes might get through with that. If that's not specifically regulated then the argument will be that it's just another step forward of their POU solution from last year.

It looks really sophisticated so much so that initially you don't understand how that can be legal. But seems like this team, very unfortunately for me and many others, contains of geniuses being obsessed with innovating.

Teams already have steering systems which adjust the front ride height in corners (interestingly outlawed next year other than a +/-3mm compliance) this seems a logical conclusion of that. The steering wheel isn't in a fixed position so it's not falling foul of the steering rules.

The only question I have is if it's moving the toe link in the x-axis, in which case the suspension member (it counts as one of the six) isn't in a fixed location, though obviously the toe link has to move to steer the car but that's a lateral movement.

I can't imagine they haven't consulted the FIA and got initial approval for the system - the rest of the technical directors will have got a technical directive on the vague operation of the system - the other teams can only appeal the stewards in Melbourne to get a definitive answer.

[etusch]

Hamilton's steering wheel moves longitudinally

Is this legal?

[Restomaniac]

Could Mercedes steering toe trick be an innovation to help with tyre wear?

Thats why I mentioned tyre scrubbing or changing the contact patch.

[f1316]

The longer I think about it the more I get the feeling that Mercedes might get through with that. If that's not specifically regulated then the argument will be that it's just another step forward of their POU solution from last year.

It looks really sophisticated so much so that initially you don't understand how that can be legal. But seems like this team, very unfortunately for me and many others, contains of geniuses being obsessed with innovating.

Teams already have steering systems which adjust the front ride height in corners (interestingly outlawed next year other than a +/-3mm compliance) this seems a logical conclusion of that. The steering wheel isn't in a fixed position so it's not falling foul of the steering rules.

The only question I have is if it's moving the toe link in the x-axis, in which case the suspension member (it counts as one of the six) isn't in a fixed location, though obviously the toe link has to move to steer the car but that's a lateral movement.

I can't imagine they haven't consulted the FIA and got initial approval for the system - the rest of the technical directors will have got a technical directive on the vague operation of the system - the other teams can only appeal the stewards in Melbourne to get a definitive answer.

I think there’s a fairly significant difference between turning the car to get through a corner and the design of the suspension meaning the car pitches as a consequence, and moving the wheels while driving in a straight line, especially as doing so is not a result of *turning* the wheel at all (pulling on a wheel is not a natural action related to steering).

[Restomaniac]

Sky reporting that other teams think it’s legal and that it’s to do with toe adjustment.

[banjo789]

By increasing the toe in at the front, is this going to move the tyres aero wake further outboard of the sidepods and barge boards lowering drag? Also depending on the suspension setup could this raise the ride height at the front of the car, in the same manner as turning the wheel alters the cars ride height. If you can raise the front on the long straights you can run lower in the medium/slow speed stuff.

[jjn9128]

I think there’s a fairly significant difference between turning the car to get through a corner and the design of the suspension meaning the car pitches as a consequence, and moving the wheels while driving in a straight line, especially as doing so is not a result of *turning* the wheel at all (pulling on a wheel is not a natural action related to steering).

It's not an intended consequence of the wording of the rules, but F1 is always about letter not spirit of rules. I'd expect it to be stamped out for next year, but by the current wording I'm now convinced it's legal.

[Restomaniac]

Sorry but this is brilliant. They have just cut to a shot of Renault huddling around looking at a monitor with an image........Of Hamilton’s Mercedes

[Oehrly]

[...]
I think there’s a fairly significant difference between turning the car to get through a corner and the design of the suspension meaning the car pitches as a consequence, and moving the wheels while driving in a straight line, especially as doing so is not a result of *turning* the wheel at all (pulling on a wheel is not a natural action related to steering).

The "problem" is that the regulations don't say that

• a steering wheel can only be turned
• manipulating the steering wheel must change the intended direction the car is going in

The regulations only talk about re-alignment of the wheels. And regulations are enforced literally and not by what the intend. As jjn9128 says, the spirit of the rules (and common sense maybe) doesn't matter.

[FrukostScones]

10.2 Suspension geometry :

10.2.1 With the steering wheel fixed, the position of each wheel centre and the orientation of its rotation axis must be completely and uniquely defined by a function of its principally vertical suspension travel, save only for the effects of reasonable compliance which does not intentionally provide further degrees of freedom.

10.2.2 Any powered device which is capable of altering the configuration or affecting the performance of any part of any suspension system is forbidden.

10.2.3 No adjustment may be made to any suspension system while the car is in motion

...
10.4 Steering :10.4.1 Any steering system which permits the re-alignment of more than two wheels is not permitted.

...

hmm..?

So from 10.4.1 it is possile.. only the alignment of two wheels is affected. No three/four wheel steering.
But for the rest it is very gray areaish to me...

[BrunoH]

this is great but if they wold let everyone use DRS with the exception from of the guy in 1 place, from lap 2 ( so he does not get too far ahead ) and have like 3 drs zones, we wold have full on racing from lap 1 to the end... because the field wold just be bunched up behind who is in first...

[Holm86]

It's 100% legal according to the wording in the regulations as far as I see it.

The steering geometry must not change when the steering wheel is fixed, but its not fixed when moved laterally.
The regulations only take into account that the steering wheel can move rotationally

[Restomaniac]

10.2 Suspension geometry :

10.2.1 With the steering wheel fixed, the position of each wheel centre and the orientation of its rotation axis must be completely and uniquely defined by a function of its principally vertical suspension travel, save only for the effects of reasonable compliance which does not intentionally provide further degrees of freedom.

10.2.2 Any powered device which is capable of altering the configuration or affecting the performance of any part of any suspension system is forbidden.

10.2.3 No adjustment may be made to any suspension system while the car is in motion

...
10.4 Steering :10.4.1 Any steering system which permits the re-alignment of more than two wheels is not permitted.

...

hmm..?

So from 10.4.1 it is possile.. only the alignment of two wheels is affected. No three/four wheel steering.
But for the rest it is very gray areaish to me...

10.2.2 surely isn’t applicable if it’s manual and not powered.

[etusch]

My idea about that they do this because of tyre blanket rule. They adjusted toe for longer tyre life and normally they will use that default settings but when they pit and get new tyres (or after sc period or for Qualifications) driver will activate system then gain heat on the tyres very fast then go on...

[MtthsMlw]