Mercedes W11

[Oehrly]

So how can this be legal:

From the 2020 regulations

10.1 Sprung suspension :
[...]
10.1.2 Any suspension system fitted to the front wheels must be so arranged that its response results only from changes in load applied to the front wheels.
[...]
10.2.1 With the steering wheel fixed, the position of each wheel centre and the orientation of its rotation axis must be completely and uniquely defined by a function of its principally vertical suspension travel, save only for the effects of reasonable compliance which does not intentionally provide further degrees of freedom.

Even if the changes only result from movement of the steering arms, it cannot really be argued that the load is applied to the front wheels. Definition of wheel:

1.5 Wheel : Flange and rim.

But everything is in accordance with 10.2.1. "Steering wheel fixed" doesn't go into detail about which degrees of freedom are fixed, so all.

Furthermore:

10.4 Steering :
10.4.1 Any steering system which permits the re-alignment of more than two wheels is not permitted.

It specifically says "more than two wheels". So less is fine

[F1Krof]

I do not believe that is what is going on. It could be for driver's preference, since they're sharing the car with Bottas.

[Morteza]

[drunkf1fan]

It's possible they are doing this knowing it is illegal and with no intention to race it; by adjusting the suspension on the fly, they can save time compared to coming into the pits, adjusting the suspension and going back out again. Once they've collected the data of both variations, the engineers can work out which setting is preferred.

However I don't think that's what they're doing here because I'd expect Lewis to do a series of laps with the steering wheel in forward or back setting.

Wouldn't work. If toe must be fixed then changing multiple times a lap is wasting testing. If it changed every lets say 5 laps rather than come in for a pitstop they could compare different settings, but they are obviously using it such that it changes multiple times a lap so that certainly seems to be the way they intend to use it.

[drunkf1fan]

Ted getting from Mercedes that this isn't just a testing mode, it's a straight up intentional, they think it's legal mode. Exciting times. Man, I love real genuine innovation and new stuff.

[bauc]

Ted getting from Mercedes that this isn't just a testing mode, it's a straight up intentional, they think it's legal mode. Exciting times. Man, I love real genuine innovation and new stuff.

hat off to them for doing this, preseason testing just went from cool to great again

[Morteza]

Ted getting from Mercedes that this isn't just a testing mode, it's a straight up intentional, they think it's legal mode. Exciting times. Man, I love real genuine innovation and new stuff.

[MtthsMlw]

Nice, day two of testing and we already have the first controversial development. Loving it
How would this system handle a crash?

[yelistener]

https://twitter.com/jronkain/status/1230437658385620992

https://twitter.com/AlbertFabrega/statu ... 8218745857

I'm confused. The video clearly suggests pulling the steer causes positive toe in, not negative, because you see more of the inside area the front tyres.

[SiLo]

Likely doesn't move JUST from a push or pull, probably another level behind the steering wheel that has to be pulled first to unlock it.

[Holm86]

So how can this be legal:

From the 2020 regulations

10.2.1 With the steering wheel fixed, the position of each wheel centre and the orientation of its rotation axis must be completely and uniquely defined by a function of its principally vertical suspension travel, save only for the effects of reasonable compliance which does not intentionally provide further degrees of freedom.

This paragraph says when fixed, and by fixed it means not moving. It only takes into account rotational movement, not latteral, and this steering wheel moves laterally which means its not in it's fixed position, so should be legal with this formulation

[JordanMugen]

Scarbs is pretty sure purpose is to improve straight line speed by reducing scrub, as already pointed out by some people here.


He also thinks it's probably legal due to it being a steering related trick, not a suspension one.

Great drawing, but hasn't Scarbs got that backwards? If outer steering ball joints are ahead of the steering rack, then won't pushing the rack forward increase toe out?

It's a very interesting development indeed!

It seems like it is legal within the rules, which is most curious!

This paragraph says when fixed, and by fixed it means not moving. It only takes into account rotational movement, not latteral, and this steering wheel moves laterally which means its not in it's fixed position, so should be legal with this formulation

It's precisely this kind of legalese microanalysis of the regulations that are trying to be avoided in the 2021 regulations and with good reason!

It's a shame this loophole exists in the rules, and curious that nobody noticed it before!

[drunkf1fan]

Ted now just said that having spoken with other teams some of them believe variable toe is actually feasible within the rules. So unless they are playing with Ted, teams may be leaning towards thinking it's legal.

Also yeah, Scarbs updated further to say it's normal/toe out not toe in.

[Jaisonas]

Scarbs is pretty sure purpose is to improve straight line speed by reducing scrub, as already pointed out by some people here.


He also thinks it's probably legal due to it being a steering related trick, not a suspension one.

Great drawing, but hasn't Scarbs got that backwards? If outer steering ball joints are ahead of the steering rack, then won't pushing the rack forward increase toe out?

It's a very interesting development indeed!

It seems like it is legal within the rules, which is most curious!

This paragraph says when fixed, and by fixed it means not moving. It only takes into account rotational movement, not latteral, and this steering wheel moves laterally which means its not in it's fixed position, so should be legal with this formulation

It's precisely this kind of legalese microanalysis of the regulations that are trying to be avoided in the 2021 regulations and with good reason!

It's a shame this loophole exists in the rules, and curious that nobody noticed it before!

He posted a correction further down. Its toe out

[JordanMugen]

Ted now just said that having spoken with other teams some of them believe variable toe is actually feasible within the rules. So unless they are playing with Ted, teams may be leaning towards thinking it's legal.

Also yeah, Scarbs updated further to say it's normal/toe out not toe in.

I suppose it could still be banned on safety grounds? If the steering rack becomes lose and starts to wobble back and forwards, causing wild and unpredictable changes in toe, that would be very dangerous. A simple amendment on safety grounds saying "the steering rack must be rigidity fixed to the monocoque, such that the axis of the steering rack is at a fixed longitudinal position" would instantly quash the development.