Valtteri Bottas says the DAS system would be hard to copy

© Wolfgang Wilhelm for Daimler AG

Valtteri Bottas says Mercedes’ innovative Dual Axis Steering system would be hard to copy for other teams, as it is one year in the making.

“Obviously it’s very nice to be the only team running that kind of system,” admits Bottas.

“I think it tells something about the great minds our team has.

“For sure it’s not just an easy thing to start making and designing, then actually making it work as it is now.

“We’re still learning about the system and the potential, but I think in some kind of circumstances, it can be really good. That will be shown later in the year in different conditions and tracks. But it’s quite impressive.”

Bottas revealed that the DAS system has been in development for at least one year.

“I’ve been aware of it for quite a long time. It’s not a quick project.

“I think the first time I heard something about it was nearly one year ago or something.”

Having tested the system on the track, Bottas says so far it seems to work very well.

“It doesn’t feel that strange. The system just works in a very good way.

“It’s pretty solid, and never does anything funny, and you only move the wheel if you want to.

“We could simulate it in different ways, and try it with some simulation tools before we ran it on the car.

“There were no difficulties really. It’s been pretty well-designed and made, and it’s simple to use and there’s no issues basically.”

The FIA already announced that the system would not be legal in 2021. Nevertheless, it is still considered to be legal for 2020.

“I don’t think that our team would start making and designing something that they think would get banned,” explained the Finn.

“I think we’re pretty comfortable that it is within the rules.

“For the other teams, it’s something to think about, and I’m sure they’re all evaluating if it’s worth investing that amount of time and effort to try and make it for this year or not.

“For us it was a pretty big project, and it would be a pretty difficult to copy. I hope we can have an edge with that.

“We’re in a good place with that ahead of the other teams,” concluded Bottas.

Source: motorsport.com

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