Breaking news
Formula 1 Barcelona February testing I
DAS could fall foul of F1's parc ferme regulations
Mercedes’ DAS system may have been given the all-clear by the FIA on the technical rules front, but it could yet be challenged as a breach of Formula 1’s parc ferme regulations.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Feb 22, 2020, 11:27 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The device, which allows Mercedes drivers to adjust the toe angle of the front wheels through pushing or pulling the steering wheel, has grabbed the attention of rival teams.
But while most understand how it is allowed by the technical regulations for 2020, there appears to be some question mark about whether or not it complies with F1’s rules that limit what teams can change after qualifying starts.
Renault’s sporting director Alan Permane said: “We don't know what it is doing. James Allison [Mercedes technical director] and his men have done something clever, and undoubtedly they think there is plenty of lap time in it.
“I'm sure they've been through it with probably Nikolas [Tombazis], the FIA and his guys and are happy it's legal. I agree.
“There's probably a parc ferme question mark over it, but I suspect that the detail lies in is it a steering system or is it suspension system? The two in the technical regs are defined differently and that's where the detail is.”
Read Also:
- FIA says there's "no question" over DAS safety
- Ferrari will seek FIA clarification on DAS
- DAS will not be allowed in F1 in 2021
F1’s sporting regulations dictate that a car is under parc ferme conditions from the moment it leaves the pitlane during qualifying until the start of the race.
Article 34.6 of the rules also adds: “A competitor may not modify any part on the car or make changes to the set-up of the suspension whilst the car is being held under parc fermé conditions.
“In the case of a breach of this Article the relevant driver must start the race from the pit lane and follow the procedures laid out in Article 36.2.
“In order that the scrutineers may be completely satisfied that no alterations have been made to the suspension systems or aerodynamic configuration of the car (with the exception of the front wing) whilst in pre-race parc fermé, it must be clear from physical inspection that changes cannot be made without the use of tools.”
It could be argued that being able to alter the toe angle of the front wheels through movement of the steering wheel does not fully comply with this – although much will depend on the definition of what is a suspension system.
Asked about a potential parc ferme rules issue, F1 race director Michael Masi declined to elaborate on the specifics of the Mercedes case.
“We don't discuss individual teams' technical elements,” he said. “When we've got a query from a team, we deal with them on a one on one basis. So that's all I'm going to say.
“I know you are looking for a headline but I'm probably not going to provide one for you. Like anything, we will continue working with the team and all teams on all aspects of anything they would like to bring forward.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Steiner reveals cause of Magnussen’s test-ending shunt
Next article Mercedes questions Ferrari’s downbeat F1 testing assessment
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Dec 28, 2024
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Mercedes
The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
16 h
The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
Latest news
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
4 h
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
5 h
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 9 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe