Red Bull lodges protest over Mercedes’ controversial DAS system
Red Bull has launched a protest against rivals Mercedes over its use of its Dual Axis Steering (DAS) system during Friday practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Mercedes caught the attention of the F1 paddock in testing earlier this year when it first ran the system that allows the driver to change the alignment — or toe angle — of the front wheels while the car is on track. It is operated by moving the steering wheel back and forth, although Mercedes has not responded to speculation over how it impacts performance.
The system, which has already been outlawed in the 2021 regulations, was used by Mercedes in the opening practice sessions for this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, reigniting the debate over its legality as Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finished the day first and second. Following the second practice session Red Bull protested the system on the grounds that it breaches Article 3.8 of the technical regulations, which outlaws moveable aerodynamic devices, and Article 10.2.3, which prohibits changes to any suspension system while the car is in motion.
Speaking before the protest was lodged, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “First of all, it is a very clever system, and so all credit to the ingenuity behind it. I think the fundamental question for us is, does it comply with the regulations?
