Mercedes without DAS in free practice

The Mercedes W11 from Lewis Hamilton et Valtteri Bottas will not be equipped with the famous dual axis steering (DDA or 'DAS' for 'dual axis steering' in English) during the first free practices of the Portuguese Grand Prix. 

Introduced in winter testing, the device allows the driver to adjust the toe-in of the front wheels by pulling on the steering wheel. This manipulation facilitates, among other things, the management of tires, in particular their warming up, a crucial factor in the F1 modern where the optimal operating window is very small. The mechanism proved particularly useful at the Nürburgring where cold temperatures prevailed. 

From its beginnings, the DDA caused much ink to be spilled and aroused the wrath of Mercedes' rivals, Red Bull going so far as to file a complaint during the first Grand Prix of the season in Austria. The six-time world champion team won their case but the system was made illegal in the 2021 technical regulations, hence the desire of the Star to learn to live without it from now on. 

The DDA will return to the Black Arrows for qualifying and the race in Portimão.