F1 2020 Pre-Season Testing Thread

[Giblet]

Did Cyril actually say that? Just looks like someone captioned the gif.

[etusch]

If the Mercedes mechanism works as assumed, the tyres will be heated more evenly across their width as they run fully upright, but the benefits of toe-out can still be deployed into the corner. It will be of particular benefit on circuits with long straights.

It appears to be a fully mechanical device, likely using the column movement to activate a lever acting upon the wheel hubs. It will add a whole new dimension to the tools available to the driver in trimming the balance of the car and looking after the tyres.


https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... hFzGV2dYas

[taperoo2k]

So the rules say fixed steering wheel but don't mention what fixed means. I think the spirit of the rules is the wheel should be only rotated and translation shouldn't be in its degrees of freedom.

I doubt the FIA intended for the steering column where the wheel is attached to be moved forwards and backwards to change how the car behaves in corners and straights. I wonder if they found a loophole in how the steering wheel is attached to the steering column when a driver gets in and out of the car ?

Furthermore if they deem this legal what's stopping the teams from implementing a system with more than 2 options? They could shift the wheel like a manual gearbox and have a different steering profile for each corner.

The more complexity in this sort of design, might increase the chances of a catastrophic failure at high speed. I applaud the innovation of the Mercedes engineers who came up with this idea, but I don't feel that it's within the spirit of the rules or the sport. But that's just my own initial gut reaction to the concept.

[mertol]

So the rules say fixed steering wheel but don't mention what fixed means. I think the spirit of the rules is the wheel should be only rotated and translation shouldn't be in its degrees of freedom.

I doubt the FIA intended for the steering column where the wheel is attached to be moved forwards and backwards to change how the car behaves in corners and straights. I wonder if they found a loophole in how the steering wheel is attached to the steering column when a driver gets in and out of the car ?

Furthermore if they deem this legal what's stopping the teams from implementing a system with more than 2 options? They could shift the wheel like a manual gearbox and have a different steering profile for each corner.

The more complexity in this sort of design, might increase the chances of a catastrophic failure at high speed. I applaud the innovation of the Mercedes engineers who came up with this idea, but I don't feel that it's within the spirit of the rules or the sport. But that's just my own initial gut reaction to the concept.

I was talking about

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.

[Pat Pending]

So the rules say fixed steering wheel but don't mention what fixed means. I think the spirit of the rules is the wheel should be only rotated and translation shouldn't be in its degrees of freedom.

No, that's not what Rule 10.2.1 says. It says that "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", i.e. IF you fix (don't move) the steering wheel then wheel movement must be defined by the suspension travel. It does NOT say that the steering wheel has to be fixed in any way.

[pimpwerx]

Per James Allison, it's legal. They apparently consulted with the FIA 6 month ago. I don't have a link to the presser. Credit to Marklar for relaying the info.

It's called DAS (Dual Axis Steering).

[izzy]

Mercedes confirm it’s not just for testing and that’s it’s way to change how the steering adjusts the ride height in corners (taking the next step in a concept everyone now uses).

Oh this was my first guess, but perhaps it's both! Why not?

[taperoo2k]

Usually the FIA will say something is legal, then wait for the other teams to protest.

[DiogoBrand]

I'm amazed that people still need to clarify that winter testing isn't representative of any team's performance, especially on day 1.

rrr. Because you can tell a lot from testing mate. It is actually very much representative for the majority of the teams for the most of the time.

That's why Ferrari destroyed Mercedes last year after being faster all throughout winter testing.

[mertol]

So the rules say fixed steering wheel but don't mention what fixed means. I think the spirit of the rules is the wheel should be only rotated and translation shouldn't be in its degrees of freedom.

No, that's not what Rule 10.2.1 says. It says that "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", i.e. IF you fix (don't move) the steering wheel then wheel movement must be defined by the suspension travel. It does NOT say that the steering wheel has to be fixed in any way.

The spirit of the rules is the position of the tires should be unique for a given steering angle only problem is they didn't see mercedes using translation and not rotation for controlling the car.

[izzy]

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.

you are a very sporting tifoso

and yes Mercedes have a seriously hot suspension department atm don't they

[etusch]

Bottas pulls steering wheel towards himself at fast corners and pushs forward it at slow corners

[Xwang]

Why is redbull using screens and renault closing the box door?

[bauc]

Why is redbull using screens and renault closing the box door?

As far as I know, the teams are allowed to do that only when the floor comes off the car

[Vasconia]

Usually the FIA will say something is legal, then wait for the other teams to protest.

Then they could say it goes against the "spirit"of the laws. But its Mercedes, so I guess nothing Will happen.