Image by Dunbar/LAT
Binotto: Ferrari opted against DAS due to legality concerns
Mattia Binotto claims Ferrari opted against pursuing a similar concept to the Mercedes Dual Axis Steering (DAS) in part because it presumed the system would not be legal.
Mercedes revealed the innovative steering system during the first pre-season test in Barcelona. The team kept the FIA informed throughout its development and is confident in its legality, and while Binotto said last week that Ferrari had never run such a system, he has since admitted that it had been considered but dismissed.
.jpg?environment=live)
“The DAS system is something we considered in the past but we didn’t design and develop,” Binotto said. “The reason, first, is merely a legality matter, which we didn’t clarify with the FIA at the time. Second, we believe it is not worthwhile for our car and our car concept. We are looking at what the others doing. At the moment it is really a question mark. I’m not sure we will develop it.
“I think it is difficult for us to judge (it’s legality). We don’t know their system, but I’m pretty sure the FIA will make the right judgement.”
Binotto also dismissed Mercedes' suggestions that it had its power unit turned down during the first test, adding: “This seems to be very much what we are doing, but it’s not correct.”
However, the Ferrari team principal said he has no concerns over the lack of headline lap times at present, explaining the approach that the team took over the first four days of testing so far.
"I think we’re really focused on ourselves, trying to understand the car, to correlate the data with all the data we have got back home - wind tunnel data and simulations," he said. "So the first week of testing last week was really focused on that – car understanding and mapping.
“This week will be a bit different. Today we are starting work on the set-up, try to optimize it, and certainly for the rest of the week we will try to push more for performance just to see where we are.”
Presented by:
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
Read Chris Medland's articles
Latest News
Comments
Comments are disabled until you accept Social Networking Cookies. Update cookie preferences
If the dialog doesn't appear, ad-blockers are often the cause; try disabling yours or see our Social Features Support.