Otmar Szafnauer on the DDA: “It would be strange if the FIA ​​said yes, then no”

The technical discovery of Mercedes never stops talking in the Barcelona paddock. There Dual Axis Steering installed on the W11 does not seem to pose any legality problem according to the management of the world champion team, but the other teams logically ask themselves many questions, starting with the supposed gains.

Asked about the subject, Otmar Szafnauer, Racing Point Team Principal F1, recognizes the clever process. “It’s a great engineering find, indicates the manager. I think everyone is now looking at how to integrate it quickly. Do you remember the F-Duct from McLaren ? It's the same thing. Just like the double diffuser.

Even in a year like this (before an expected rule change in 2021), if it makes a big difference, you should do it. A system like this can transfer to 2021. The limitations of 2021 are mainly oriented towards aerodynamics. So we have to leave this part, but if you find an intelligent mechanical system, then…”

As for its legality, Szafnauer relies on long-confirmed discussions on this point between Mercedes and the FIA. “ It seems like from what James Allison (Mercedes technical director) was saying, they did a lot of back and forth with the FIA. So I think it would be strange if the FIA ​​said yes and then no.

However, this has been done in the past. Williams had a gearbox which was banned after a while. »

The head of Racing Point F1, whose car appeared very close to the 10 W2019 since its debut, further believes that the team could take inspiration from this system to develop its own, without going to Mercedes, which already supplies several elements to the RP20, in addition to its Power Unit.

“The benefits seem quite clear even if I don’t know the concessions made, Szafnauer analyzes. It is above all a question of time and safety for adaptation.

If it's a huge effort for a small profit, we probably won't do it, because we have limited resources. But if it's a little effort for a big benefit, then probably yes. If we decide to follow this path, we will do it ourselves. »

On the other hand, it appears that for 2021, such a system may not be authorized. As mentioned in article 10.5.2, “the realignment of the steering wheels, as defined by the position of the inner attachment of the suspension elements concerned which remain at a fixed distance from each other, must be defined only by a monotonic function of the rotation of a single steering wheel. »

The forward – backward movement of the steering wheel would therefore not be included in this definition.