2020 Winter Testing One

[Zico]

If my understanding of how the DAS system is correct then the aerodynamics benefit it brings is also brought by the steering by the front wheels being movable aero devices, the geometry changing the ride height and the effects that has on aero... so maybe they need to ban steering also?

I suppose they could ban it for it not being in 'the spirit of the regulations'. :/

[Nitrodaze]

If my understanding of how the DAS system is correct then the aerodynamics benefit it brings is also brought by the steering by the front wheels being movable aero devices, the geometry changing the ride height and the effects that has on aero... so maybe they need to ban steering also?

I suppose they could ban it for it not being in 'the spirit of the regulations'. :/

I suspect they may not ban it for this season as they were forewarned about it. But they were quick to update the regulation for next season to specifically ban it in 2021. There are multiple benefits from this Toe adjusting technology as we would find as the season progresses. It is definitely an edge over the competition.

[Zico]

I suspect they may not ban it for this season as they were forewarned about it. But they were quick to update the regulation for next season to specifically ban it in 2021. There are multiple benefits from this Toe adjusting technology as we would find as the season progresses. It is definitely an edge over the competition.

Agreed...


IF... it does offer as big an advantage as they think and Merc run up a huge lead in the first 4-5 months, if its going to take 5-6 months for the others to have it on their cars.. I see a real possibility that the others just write this season off completely and concentrate on putting all their resources and development into the 2021 reg cars instead of attempting to chase Merc down in the latter half of the season with no guarantees of success. For this reason 2020 could be Mercs most dominant season and the dullest one ever.

Heres hoping its not really a huge advantage... or the others have an unseen but equal development to ensure that wont happen.

[Nitrodaze]

Agreed...


IF... it does offer as big an advantage as they think and Merc run up a huge lead in the first 4-5 months, if its going to take 5-6 months for the others to have it on their cars.. I see a real possibility that the others just write this season off completely and concentrate on putting all their resources and development into the 2021 reg cars instead of attempting to chase Merc down in the latter half of the season with no guarantees of success. For this reason 2020 could be Mercs most dominant season and the dullest one ever.

Heres hoping its not really a huge advantage... or the others have an unseen but equal development to ensure that wont happen.

Possibly. But you assume that the DAS provides a significant advantage to put Mercedes far ahead. I think the competition may not need the DAS to catch up to and give Mercedes a good fight for the championship. The DAS is a good winter testing sensation but not necesarily a silver bullet. We don't know yet what advantages it gives. We also don't know yet if it is actually an edge. We also don't know how good the cars of the opposition actually are.

I think it is going to be a hard fought season. As all that is needed to make the season interesting, is for one or both of the main competition to be close enough to be a real bother for Mercedes. They don't necessarily need to be faster. They just need to harass Mercedes enough to rattle their cage. Especially if both Redbull and Ferrari can simultaneously do so.

It should not be an easy run to the finish line for Mercedes. Even Mercedes do not want that. They at least want to experience a good fight for the title.