Title 7 As Mercedes Shows Technology Others Don't Have

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How different is this? Toe in and out as he comes onto the straight after coming out of the corner. Steering wheel definitely moving the tyres. Apparently it is called the DAS system standing for Dual Axes Steering and the FIA know about it. This is one reason why I love following Formula One as things like this are unexpected and priceless seeing the reactions of other teams.

This season Mercedes have pulled a fast one on all the other teams creating something that is a breakthrough piece of innovative engineering. It is so advanced that it could take the other teams the whole season or two seasons to catch up. This type of technology doesn't happen overnight and can guarantee you all the teams are trying to work out how it works. Mercedes will not reveal when and how they use it as that is top secret.

During testing teams are allowed to test any developments whether they are illegal for the FIA regulations or not. It could be argued thought that it is adjusting the tyres and not the suspension. I think they will get away with this one as they have been open with the FIA from the beginning of development. Teams are not happy though as this is something they don't have and will obviously have a good moan. Hamilton is all smiles as it shows how far Mercedes are ahead of the other teams.

The FIA stipulates that the suspension has to be fixed and cannot be adjusted whilst the car is moving. Mercedes have developed such a thing that adjusts the ride height and the toe of the tyres so it will help with traction and reduce the wear on the tyres. The tyres move out for the corners and back in for the straight. How this helps overall I have no clue, but has all the other teams hopping.

Hamilton was seen yesterday pulling the steering wheel towards and away from him moving into corners and straights. This suggests yesterday and today they are now mapping the tyre wear with this movable suspension looking at the benefits for this and next season. In 2021 tyre wear is going to be specific and have severe drop off in performance at a certain number of laps. Increased pit stops is what the FIA wants generating more interest in the race. Possibly this will protect the tyres more as I am only guessing.

If the rules ban this sort of thing there is a loop hole as long as 3 or more teams adopt this and that makes it legal. Racing Point ,Williams and McLaren will be using Mercedes engines next season so why not their suspension as well. This makes what is currently illegal legal over night and will make a huge difference to management of tyres. This would ensure whoever has this system has an advantage of making their tyres last that much longer having less stops overall. That is my guess as to why this has appeared now.

In the past Mercedes had superior down force but with this set up they have even advanced that plus increased the aero dynamics. At the rear of the car in front of the back wheel there has always been a conundrum of how to improve the aero dynamics. The wishbones and suspension arms are normally an interference and just in the way.

This year Mercedes have set the suspension much further back and angled the supporting bars. This area has to be super strong as the forces applied onto the rear wheels are immense. This is not just one seasons development work coming together but 1000's of man hours. This is where it pays to have a massive work force behind you as this gives you a massive advantage.

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Racing Point has a nickname "The Pink Mercedes" this season as it looks as though Mercedes is supplying their nose cone as well. The Racing Point team uses Mercedes wind tunnel so why not use some of their parts . Ferrari and Haas also have a share deal happening as both teams have identical nose cones as well. This is allowed and encouraged helping to reduce costs.

All of this just adds to what will be a very interesting season that starts in 3 weeks time. Teams that we thought wouldn't feature will be stronger this season making for highly competitive racing, but in all honesty I think Mercedes has a massive advantage on what they have developed.