© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
As announced earlier today by Christian Horner, Red Bull has now officially protested Mercedes’ Dual Axis Steering system with the FIA.
The legality of Mercedes’ DAS system has been a hot topic with Formula 1 teams ever since it was first revealed during pre-season testing back in February.
The system allows drivers to adjust the toe angle of the car by pulling and pushing on the steering wheel. Although Mercedes has been saying that they were checking the legality of such a system with the FIA all through its development, Red Bull isn’t sure that it complies with the F1 rules.
Mercedes and Red Bull are scheduled to meet with the FIA stewards today at 7:10PM local time.
It is alleged that DAS is in breach of FIA Formula One Technical Regulations, Articles 3.8 and 10.2.3.
Article 3.8 refers to the aerodynamic influence on the car, stating that “any specific part of the car influencing its aerodynamic performance must comply with the rules relating to bodywork” and “must be rigidly secured to the entirely sprung part of the car (rigidly secured means not having any degree of freedom)”.
It adds that: “with the exception of the driver adjustable bodywork described in Article 3.6.8 (in addition to minimal parts solely associated with its actuation) and the parts described in Articles 11.4, 11.5 and 11.6, any specific part of the car influencing its aerodynamic performance must remain immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car.”
Article 10.2.3 refers to the rule that “no adjustment may be made to any suspension system while the car is in motion”.
