[Official] Austrian Grand Prix 2020: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 1 of who knows how many

[S griffin]

So glad the DAS problem has been sorted. Merc have simply been clever with the rules. No more need for protests

Racing Point already looking good as expected. This is the season where they can score big points

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Or Ferrari have one nearly ready to go, whereas Red Bull haven’t bothered so they need to protest.

I think you’ll find Red Bull have one pretty-much ready to bolt on.

Not so sure about Ferrari as I’m not sure the current leadership is up to thinking that far ahead.

[steve_r]

If Red Bull were doing this for a clear decision as to whether it is legal or not, so that they could develop their own, they could have sought clarification about the rule seperately months ago. No, this was mainly an attempt to disrupt their rivals, and the timing was designed to give maxium disruption *if* this was found to be against the rules.

All part of F1 team rivalry.

[crmalcolm]

As I understand, they had to wait until the system was used on track as part of a race weekend.

The system was deemed legal by the FIA, but a protest had to wait until now because it needs to be lodged with stewards.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by steve_r

If Red Bull were doing this for a clear decision as to whether it is legal or not, so that they could develop their own, they could have sought clarification about the rule seperately months ago.

Lol, they did. But couldn’t bring it before the stewards until the stewards met officially. That is at a race meeting!

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by E.B

I think it is likely more the other way round..... Horner said something in an interview that suggested they are developing something already.

I hadn’t picked up on Horner’s comment. Thanks

So this dangerous pseudo active suspension ist gut. Oh wait, that’s not the joke. DAS ist gut.
https://twitter.com/mercedesamgf1/st...764151296?s=21

[Born Racer]

Good stuff by the clever clogs at Mercedes. The FIA's verdict depends on a lot on the de facto exception made for steering on aerodynamic influence and Article 10.2.1 on the steering wheel being fixed separating the functions of suspension and steering.

[S griffin]

Sounds like Horner wanted to make DAS was 100% legal before he bought his own system out. Certainly if his words are anything to go by, you never know what’s really beneath the surface sometimes

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Certainly if his words are anything to go by, you never know what’s really beneath the surface sometimes

That would be a nut behind the wheel (a human body) at the front, and a power unit at the back. Plus some other bits and pieces.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

As I understand, they had to wait until the system was used on track as part of a race weekend.

The system was deemed legal by the FIA, but a protest had to wait until now because it needs to be lodged with stewards.

This is my understanding as well. I may be remembering this wrong, but I think there may even be an example in the past of a team protesting their own car to obtain clarity from stewards on a particular concept?

Richard

[Born Racer Fan]

Yes - I think nothing is subject to protest until it competes on a Grand Prix weekend.

[Richard C]

After posting above, I found this article in which F1 is trying to resolve the issue of clarity only being available via race stewards at events.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...rsies/4824951/

Richard

[chillibowl]

Food morning/afternoon all.

Cant wait to see how the Merc drivers use DAS in quali. Proper footage via on boards i hope.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Food morning/afternoon all.

Cant wait to see how the Merc drivers use DAS in quali. Proper footage via on boards i hope.

Good evening 'chilli'! (coming up to 11pm Saturday here)
Yep it will be intriguing although Merc said it was not a device that helps warm up of tyres for qualy laps. Il reserve judgement on that.

[chillibowl]

Lol Right right...means i get to have a bevy because it is evening somewhere!

[chillibowl]

Would have liked to see footage of them working on Bottas' car both under a time crunch and under the covid protocols... impressive that they got him ready really.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Lol Right right...means i get to have a bevy because it is evening somewhere!

Hehehe sun is well past the yard-arm here!
Qualy is go go go.

[chillibowl]

Ferrari

[Greem]

Well now, Vettel out in Q2 (11th). Leclerc 10th. Albon chucked a flyer in right at the end of Q2 to be 3rd behind the two Mercs.

This isn't playing out quite how it looked in practice!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Vettel's bumped out of Q3 by Albon, who finishes 3rd in Q2.

[ascarracinguk]

Is there any doubt now, that ferrari had a dodgy engine last year? Only 19th fastest on the straights.....

Max on Mediums for the start of the race, that could prove to be a master stroke by Red Bull

[Greem]

Getting to the pointy end now.

Hope the McLaren pair can go well, they're looking good for the 3rd row at the moment.

[Greem]

Wow. Norris in 4th!

Shall I start the conspiracy theory that Bottas ran off through the gravel on purpose?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Bottas takes himself off but it looks like he still has pole.

[chillibowl]

Looking forward to see what Max can do an an alternative strategy from 3rd. Norris in 4th wow.

Must be a big boost for Bottas that Ham couldn't deliver.

Great looking grid for tomorrow

Why did Stroll peel off on that final outlap?