Dominant, class-leading, and innovative are some terms that may come to the mind of an F1 fan when they think of Mercedes. The German team is bossing the turbo-hybrid like no other team in any era before. There is a reason for its stronghold – consistent pursuit of excellence.

But how do they execute it? How do they come up with brilliant ideas like the DAS (Dual Axis Steering)?

According to Technical Director, James Allison, they have a dedicated ‘performance group’ that is chiefly responsible for such ideas. Elaborating that is not just the upper management that takes the brunt of the responsibility for new ideas, he said –

“They sit down after each race and just meet to talk about the car. How it went, what was good, what was bad, what sort of trends they are seeing that has bugged us for a while now.”

“Or opportunities that have tempted us for a little while and how might we go about either correcting things that are wrong or improving or making use of opportunities that we see. And their job really is to pose questions in the organization,” Allison continued.

“If we could come up with an answer to that question, the car will definitely be faster at the end of it. And they sit together, they meet, they argue, they debate.”

So, after one of these races in 2018, they had a eureka moment that led to the birth of DAS.

“And that group is the group that came up with the question, ‘Would it be possible for us to be able to have the front tow directly steerable by the driver as well as the left-right aspect of the steer’?”

What is the use of DAS? Can Mercedes use it in 2021?

DAS is a system that allows the tires to move outwards in the corners and inwards on the straights by adjusting the steering wheel. Hamilton and Bottas have previously used it in practice sessions to warm their tires in qualifying.

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Sadly though, the FIA banned this system so other teams like Red Bull and Ferrari won’t spend a crazy amount to develop it safely. However, this highlights their quest to push the boundaries. No wonder they are breaking records, one after the other.