No F1 thread?

[NotoriousREV]

So what do we think Lewis’s moveable steering column does?

[Mito Man]

Wtf

[NotoriousREV]

So it appears to be changing the toe angle: less toe-in on the straights, more toe for corners.

[mik]

Or the camber? Hard to tell, but definitely appears to be doing something.....

[Mito Man]

I wonder by physical that is, moving a steering column in and out which is directly connected to the front wheels with over a tonne of downforce on the front wing at that speed.

Force India may be solid 4th fastest as they have the 2019 Mercedes apparently, that said the advantage maybe isn’t as great as they make out if Haas and their Spec B Ferrari is anything to go by.

[duncs500]

A bit more conjecture about it here: Link.

I love this stuff.

[NotoriousREV]

So Merc have confirmed that the moving column is “an additional steering mode”.

[Mito Man]

Ah, don’t you just love it when people respond with words which give no additional info...

However clever it is I wonder if it will be banned, otherwise we will have a full grid of cars moving columns in and out by the Spanish GP

[duncs500]

Might not be that easy to design in once you've already sorted your steering system and front end.

[Mito Man]

Depends as it’s not related to alterting the main chassis or crash structure so the bigger teams may be able to copy it during the season if it’s worth it.
Unlike Mercs trick rear suspension this year which can’t be easily copied.
Must say Mercedes have a few trick bits this year but I’ve not seen any other teams with anything new.

[mik]

Interesting - I like it.

Although all the kids at McD’s will be unclamping their steering column adjusters to show that they have installed F1 steering to reduce drive-thru times

May also be interesting if someone finds their car out-of-shape and pulls when they should have pushed as they mash n saw.... probably the effect on handling is not that significant, but at high speeds it may be enough of a distraction to create an unnecessary accident ?

[NotoriousREV]

I noticed all day yesterday that Max’s rear spoiler was flapping around when DRS was open. It’s not doing it today. I wonder if they didn’t notice until reviewing yesterday’s footage or whether it was more of a fix than just tightening a few bolts.

[duncs500]

DAS.

[NotoriousREV]

Sky F1 have got great footage of it in action with graphics so you can see the toe change in slow mo. Hopefully someone will have a screen cap of it.

[NotoriousREV]

And lo:

[Mito Man]

Sky F1 have got great footage of it in action with graphics so you can see the toe change in slow mo. Hopefully someone will have a screen cap of it.

The clip of it in action is on the F1 app. Quite a pronounced change in toe! I guess it’s more a tyre conservation tool but could he critical in saving enough tyrelife to overcut other teams. Good that Mercedes checked with the FIA first as I know you can pose ideas to them to check the legality - I’m just surprised someone in the FIA then didn’t spill some beans to Ferrari!

[Rich B]

Thats such a simple idea, probably very easy to actually test crudely too - just move the whole steering rack fore/aft to move the pivot.

I’m still amazed they’re finding more simple tricks like this.

[duncs500]

How long before the next track focused supercar has steering column adjustable toe angle?

[Swervin_Mervin]

The question is what else are they up to if this is the really noticeable distraction?

[Mito Man]

Their rear suspension is quite trick too.

I’m surprised they’ve revealed the steering for testing though, other teams may have it in a few races time. Should have just used it in Melbourne.