Mercedes cause stir by reinventing the steering wheel
F1 cars traditionally are set up with the front wheels slightly angled to help cornering.
(Reuters) - Mercedes brought intrigue to Formula One testing on Thursday (February 20) with television images showing Lewis Hamilton moving his car’s steering wheel forwards and backwards as he drove.
The mechanism appeared to alter the alignment of the front wheels, with the six-times world champion pulling the wheel towards him on the straights and pushing it back as he approached corners.
Technical director James Allison was coy about the details of a system he said was known within the team as DAS (Dual-Axis Steering).
Mercedes are chasing their seventh successive title double this season, with Hamilton aiming to equal Michael Schumacher’s record seven drivers’ titles.
The team started last year with eight wins in a row, despite Ferrari having an impressively quick car in testing.
Testing is not bound by the same regulations as grand prix weekends, with teams sometimes trying out developments they may never race.
Asked whether Mercedes were worried the governing FIA might rule the device illegal, Allison said they had been talking about it for some time, safety was not an issue and it was within the rules.
Hamilton said he had only one morning using it, did not find it distracting and was encouraged to see his team were continuing to innovate to stay ahead of the game.
