F1 testing 2020

DLSTR

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14...evice-is-legal

Autosport has learned that the central matter for the FIA is the grey area in the regulations between what are suspension components and what are steering parts of the car.

The regulations are clear that suspension changes made when the car is in motion are not allowed.

"No adjustment may be made to any suspension system while the car is in motion," states Article 10.2.3 of F1's technical regulations.

If in the FIA's view the changes made to the toe angle were altering the suspension of the car, the DAS would be outlawed, but instead its view is that the DAS is merely another way of 'steering' the front wheels.

In terms of what is allowed in terms of steering, the rules are not as restrictive.

Article 10.4.1 of the technical regulations states: "Any steering system which permits the re-alignment of more than two wheels is not permitted."

As the Mercedes system only adjusts the toe of the front wheels, it is fully in compliance.

Moreover, nowhere in the regulations does it state that the wheels can only be turned on one axis - nor that the two front wheels must change angle at the same rate.

That means that Mercedes changing the angle of the front wheels to alter the toe is allowed because there is no regulation that states it cannot be done.