Vettel not sure Mercedes DDA can be easily copied

DAS (for “Dual Axis Steering” in English) or DDA for lovers of the language of Molière. This was undeniably the acronym of the day this Thursday in the Barcelona paddock. 

The technical novelty introduced by Mercedes on its W11, which allows the driver to pull or push the steering wheel to adjust the spacing and/or angle of the front wheels, quickly fueled conversations and the rumor machine. Mercedes assures that the device is both legal and safe. 

Like all of the competition, Sebastian Vettel, who was making his first laps after withdrawing on Wednesday to fully recover from the flu, was questioned on the hot topic of the moment. 

« We talked about it during the lunch break with the team, reacted the pilot Ferrari. We took a look at the onboard cameras. We are lucky to have this kind of images, otherwise we probably would not have discovered it here. The device looks interesting. If they drive with it, the concept is legal. Afterwards, I tend to say that you shouldn't be able to push or pull a steering wheel but only turn it. I don't know how it works and how much the driver has to adapt. It’s something new for us, that’s for sure. ».

The four-time world champion is not sure whether the system can be quickly copied to another car. Vettel also thinks that the driver's feelings must be quite altered by this famous DDA. Finally, the German believes that teams will always tend to favor an option which proves to be a source of performance even if it requires acrobatics at the wheel.

« We are quite busy with our own program so we haven't really studied the subject in depth, added Vettel. I don't know if it's easy to do, I think not. Above all, I believe that it is not easy to do. The feeling must be quite strange, this impression of finding yourself with the steering wheel in your hands and detached. 

If the system makes you go faster, there's no question: you're going that way. About ten years ago, we had the F-Duct which allowed us to ride with one hand most of the time. It wasn't the safest solution but it made you go quickly and we used it. It’s up to the FIA ​​to look after us by making sure we keep both hands on the wheel. 

It’s like being asked to run in tap shoes, you can do it but the feeling must be very different. We are not in this extreme but we are adding a new element which must alter the sensations behind the wheel. Afterwards, if the system provides you with an advantage and you are able to put it into practice, why deprive yourself? You can get used to a lot of things by F1. 

Much more important is the car that surrounds the entire system. Maybe I'm underestimating the situation but I don't have the feeling that this is the kind of thing that will change the situation. I'm not sure it's an automatic ticket to victory. Afterwards, it is clearly an innovation. Time will tell if this is the kind of development everyone ends up adopting ».