While it will not have anything like the impact of the double diffuser - that game-changing concept from the man who in his new role seems determined to stamp out such innovation - Mercedes dual axis steering has certainly caught the attention of rival teams.

However, as they wait to see the benefits of developing their own version of the system, there are two factors to be considered.

One is the cost of developing their own version of DAS, especially when it is already banned in 2021 and will therefore only be used in the latter stages of the current season.

Then there's the legality of the system, and with some teams already expressing doubts, there are fears that it could be protested come Melbourne.

Certainly, Ferrari, which knows a fair bit about technical directives, is to seek guidance from the FIA.

"We are not discussing with the FIA yet," said team boss, Mattia Binotto, "but we will do for clarification.

"It is important for us to understand but we will not challenge the FIA on their decision," he added.

"We know very little about it," admitted the team's sporting director, Laurent Mekies. "We expect that the FIA will be a lot more interested than us in dealing with it. We completely rely on the FIA to assess if the system is compliant or not."

Assuming that the system is declared legal, and Mercedes insists the FIA has known about it for some time, Binotto admits that his team could look to develop its own version, but that it would take time.

"It will certainly be longer than the first Grand Prix in Melbourne," he said. "It is a first-concept design, production, homologation, it has to be safe. If it is to be made it can't be before mid-season."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by aroutis, 26/02/2020 11:16

"The way I see it, while I understand gray areas and innovation, I don't understand double standards.
Ferrari has been investigated for 2 years for several years.
Red Bull Racing has been repeatedly investigated over the years.
Mercedes has not been investigated as much, even when they are found with gray area stuff, they've been allowed to use it, then banned for next year, which eventually that means they're allowed with an advantage noone else can use.
That only make people upset and pretty much feel Mercedes has been given unequal treatment.

Then people wonder why people don't care bout F1 as it is turning out to be. "

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2. Posted by TokyoAussie, 26/02/2020 3:34

"Dual axis steering implies there is bit of extra gearing, like a differential gear, involved. I suspect it is probably legal, as the rules are currently written. Introducing an extra differential gear that is directly operated by the driver by pulling on the steering wheel sounds too clever by half. Other innovations have been banned that were also otherwise legal, so who knows what the FIA will think. But, then again, I would prefer this over DRS. Certainly, it will never have any road-going application, as if that ever mattered."

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3. Posted by elsiebc, 25/02/2020 17:17

"@Stitch431 All rules are not black and white, at least not until next year. It's those gray areas that fuel innovation. Currently, as I understand it, there is a system in place whereas the FIA can only initially rule on the black and white of things until a competitor lodges a formal complaint at a race meeting. Beginning next year, the FIA will be allowed to rule on anything at anytime thus ending any appearance of self government by the teams.
Where would racing be if the sanctioning body of the most technologically advanced series ruled years ago that "all chassis will ride on springs made of 5 individual leaves of steel, located at each of the four corners..."? Unfortunately, I think we'll find out.
"

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4. Posted by Stitch431, 25/02/2020 9:20

"It is not without reason that Mercedes is not willing to explain how it exactly works. As a matter of fact, it is a system that adjusts the height of the car while driving which is something that is written in the rules to be forbidden. If the FIA knows how it works, they should speak out and say so immediately instead of staying silent and waiting for someone to file a complaint."

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Ferrari to ask FIA for DAS clarification

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