Race Weekend Central

Mercedes DAS Deemed Legal, Red Bull Protest Denied

After further review by the FiA, the Red Bull Racing lead protest against the Mercedes DAS system has been denied and the DAS system will be legal for 2020.

The system, which is believed to allow better tyres to be better heated on the straights, will allegedly help Mercedes improve both tire wear and grip while also maintaining effective stability on corner entries.

Red Bull’s Christian Horner, who immediately launched the complaint, cited article 3.8 which refers to aerodynamic influence and article 10.2.3, which states “no adjustment may be made to any suspension system while the car is in motion”.

As outlined by Formula One in their stewards’ report: “As a general conclusion, it is very simple to conclude DAS would be illegal IF it were not part of the steering system,” the document read. “So the main challenge and debate has to be on whether it can be considered to be part of the steering system. The stewards decide that DAS is a part of the steering system.

“Therefore the Stewards consider DAS to be a legitimate part of the steering system and hence to satisfy the relevant regulations regarding suspension or aerodynamic influence.”

With the ruling coming in favour of the Silver Arrows, this means that the team will continue to use the DAS until its outright ban coming in 2021. It will also mean that other teams will have to adapt, as Red Bull has already announced their own version of the system to debut later this season.

As Mercedes topped the charts during both FP1 and FP2 this weekend in Austria, this smaller off-track victory will look to translate into an even bigger on-track edge come race day.

About the author

Alex has been writing in the motorsport world since he was 19. Starting his career with the NASCAR Pinty's Series, Alex's work has been featured in Inside Track Magazine, TSN & NBC Sports as well as countless race programs.

Alex has also worked within the junior hockey world in Canada, appearing as a desk host for the OHL's Barrie Colts. He also got the opportunity to cover the 2018 Chevy Silverado 250 which appeared as the headlining article on NASCAR.com.

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