Red Bull's Mercedes steering protest is dismissed at Austrian Grand Prix

The Dual-Axis Steering System (DAS) is given the nod by the FIA despite questions from rivals
Red Bull boss Christian Horner and Mercedes principal Toto WolffRed Bull boss Christian Horner and Mercedes principal Toto Wolff
Red Bull boss Christian Horner and Mercedes principal Toto Wolff

The much-talked-about Mercedes Dual-Axis Steering system has been declared legal by F1's governing body after Red Bull Racing lodged a formal protest against it on Friday.

In a verdict delivered on Saturday morning ahead of the third free practice session of the season opener, the FIA said: "DAS is part of the steering system, albeit not a conventional one," as they declared it legal.

The team from Milton Keynes had declared Mercedes' use of the system was a moveable aerodynamic device - illegal in the F1 rules - but after analysis of the system on the W11, scrutineers said it was not a part of the suspension but in fact a part of the steering system.

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas can use the system by pushing or pulling the steering wheel, altering the toe angle of the front wheels. The DAS system was the talk of pre-season testing, but Red Bull had planned to protest it prior to the Australian Grand Pric in March though the event was cancelled before cars made it out on track.

The ruling now allows other teams to install similar systems on their cars, something which Red Bull boss Christian Horner had hinted at.

"It depends what it actually does and achieves," said Horner during FP1. "Everything has to earn its place on the car. Obviously it's a clever system, it's an ingenious system but obviously these rules are so complex. It's just understanding what part of the regulations it fits."

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