Bottas: “The DDA can be very advantageous”

Dual Axis Steering was the big surprise of the first week of winter testing F1 in Barcelona (Spain). While Mercedes remains the benchmark since the introduction of the 6 turbo/hybrid V1.6, the latest version of the star-studded team is already making the competition fearful even if its true potential will only be revealed at the Australian GP held on March 15 at Albert Park .

Valtteri Bottas, the author of the best time of the first week of tests on the Catalunya circuit, in any case seems confident about the advantage offered by the Dual Axis Steering installed on the W11.

“It’s clearly a good thing to be the only team to evolve with this system, confided the Finn. In my opinion, this shows that this team is made up of very good elements. It’s never easy to design and produce a system like this and make it work. We are still learning about its potential, but I think it can be very beneficial in certain circumstances. »

“It’s not difficult to use, it just works. It's pretty solid and never does anything surprising. We just have to move the steering wheel whenever we want. We haven't encountered any problems yet. We wouldn't have tested it if we didn't think it would give us more performance. We are still looking to see in what situations this can benefit us, if it is better to use it in qualifying, in the race, during the safety cars…”, he said.

Mercedes will have to defend its concept to the FIA, with opposing teams not failing to challenge the legality of the system. Nevertheless, the German manufacturer is convinced that its original idea complies with the regulations even ifit will be banned in 2021.

“There is always the question of legality that arises when a team brings something new. But I don't think our team would have designed this system if they thought it would be banned, commented Valtteri Bottas. We are comfortable with that, we are within the rules. I am sure that other teams are studying the prospect of replicating this direction, taking into account the time and effort it requires. This was an important project for us and it will be quite difficult to copy. I hope this gives us an advantage, although I don't know to what extent yet. We are in any case in a good position with that in addition to the others. »

The second week of testing could provide a more precise view of the forces involved, with certain teams not yet having chased down the time.

Discover the analysis of the first week of winter testing by our special correspondents in AUTO issue 2256hebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and on newsstands this Wednesday. Also find the AUTO F1 Guidehebdo always available.