Scuderia Ferrari has launched a formal protest against the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, targeting the controversial 'Dual-Axis Steering' (DAS) system featured on the team's new W15 challenger. The protest, filed with the FIA following the opening practice sessions, alleges the dual-axis front wing adjustment mechanism constitutes a movable aerodynamic device, which is prohibited under Article 3.2 of the technical regulations.
The system in question allows the Mercedes driver to alter the toe angle of the front wheels by pulling and pushing on the steering wheel while driving on straights, a move Ferrari contends provides an aerodynamic advantage beyond the scope of legal suspension adjustments. The protest immediately elevates the technical innovation to the center of a pre-season legality dispute, reminiscent of past controversies like double diffusers and tuned mass dampers.
Ferrari's challenge comes despite Mercedes' claim that the system was pre-approved by the sport's governing body. Team Principal Toto Wolff stated, "We are confident that the DAS system is compliant with the regulations. We have been in constant dialogue with the FIA regarding this innovation and received written confirmation of its legality before the season began." This proactive approach mirrors a strategy employed by Ferrari itself with its own Flexi-Top Mount (FTM) system, for which the Italian squad also sought and received advanced written approval from the FIA to avoid a mid-season ban.
The protest now forces the FIA's technical department to make a definitive ruling. If deemed legal, the system could provide Mercedes with a significant and sustained performance advantage, as some reports suggest it could be worth up to three-tenths of a second per lap. However, replicating the concept would be immensely difficult for rival teams, as it is understood to be deeply integrated into the chassis design of the W15, making it a 'bolted-on copy' mid-season nearly impossible. If ruled illegal, Mercedes would be forced to remove the system and could face potential penalties.
The outcome of this protest is poised to have major implications for the early competitive order of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship, setting a critical precedent for technical innovation under the current regulatory framework.
Source: youtube.com