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Watch: Lewis Hamilton Debuts Mercedes’ Alarming New Update

Published 02/20/2020, 6:12 AM EST

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via Imago

Lewis Hamilton is the focal point of consideration on the second day of testing. It is all a direct result of the recordings that are surfacing on the web of his steering wheel.

Lewis Hamilton, who set the early tone on the primary day of testing, bounced once more into the Mercedes W11 for the morning session of day two. His on-board footage has made many guess over what is actually going on with his steering wheel.

The wheel moves towards the driver as Lewis Hamilton quickens on to the straight and afterward away again as he enters the braking zone. A more intensive look uncovers a slight front-wheel development all the while with the for and toward the back change.

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Not exclusively is the steering wheel being pushed and pulled as Hamilton explores the corners and straights. Moreover, those developments additionally appear to be splendidly adjusted to the development of the front wheels.

The main recommendation is Hamilton can build his contribution to the steering wheel to make dynamic ride height modification as he clears his path through the circuit.

Although the adjustment is small. The overall benefits could be significant, particularly if the system is capable of adjusting the ride height of the car.

Comments on the steering wheel of Lewis Hamilton

While many believed the quirk was perhaps the troubling result of a loose steering rack, former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestly responded to the post with the following explanation.

So…it could be that the actual steering rack and therefore the track rods move, reducing toe-out to close to zero on the straight, which would reduce drag and improve tyre life…

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F1 techie Craig Scarborough also chimed in on the fascinating trick.

Lots of videos now emerging of the Merc steering wheel being moved backward when joining the straight. With some apparent effect at the front wheels, then bring moved forward before braking,” wrote Scarbs.

“It could be just play in the assembly. Perhaps the column also moves the steering rack. Which could alter toe angle and thus perhaps ride height, for speed on the straight? Pure conjecture at this stage.

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“Wholly expect rival teams to be hopping up and down right now. The rules as published do not account for this sort of solution.”

Matt Gallagher also commented on the situation “ Oh my days. Look at the change of angle on the front tyres when he pulls the steering wheel!!!!! That’s absolute class if fully legal as it’ll improve aero down the straights and help to cool the tyres/brakes Another big play from Merc…”

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Written by:

Abhay Aggarwal

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Abhay Aggarwal is sports analyst at EssentiallySports. Having joined ES in early 2020, he has over 300 NASCAR, Formula 1, and Tennis articles to his name. Abhay has been an avid motorsports fan for over a decade, and he even attended the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in 2011.
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