Sebastian Vettel on Mercedes' DAS system: “Like in flip-flops!”

(Motorsport-Entire.com) – The DAS system from Mercedes Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has not remained hidden either. On his first day back in the Ferrari, the German watched the competition's steering wheel trick. The four-time world champion believes that the unnatural movement for the pilots is difficult to carry out – “like if you go into flip-flops”.

How much will the innovation Mercedes bring? In any case, Vettel does not believe that DAS will already be the free ticket for the seventh World Cup title in series. After all, you also need the right car for it. “But maybe I underestimate that too.”

However, he also confirmed that Ferrari only discovered the system on Thursday after recordings of it were made public. That was a “novelty” for the Scuderia.

“It's called a steering wheel, not a push and pull wheel!”

“I saw it, we talked about it at lunchtime,” reveals Vettel on his first day at work. Specifically battle on an onboard recording by Lewis Hamilton to recognize how the Briton pulls the steering wheel towards himself at the beginning of the originate up-straight line, which changes the camber.

In front of the braking point, the world champion pushes the steering wheel back into the starting position, which also changes the wheel position again. “Of course it looks interesting,” Vettel also has to admit. The question of legality does not arise for the Heppenheimer.

“The fact that they drive with it probably means that it is perfect.” Mercedes had previously emphasized that the FIA ​​did not classify the system as unlawful. Nevertheless, doubts remain with the Reds. “I don't know,” Vettel begins, “but it's called the steering wheel, not the push and pull wheel!”

It is assumed that Mercedes invented the system in order to better manage the tire temperature. Officially, the world champion team has made no statement as to what the system is supposed to do. “I don't know if it works. I only saw it from the outside. Fortunately there are onboard recordings.”

Vettel is not sure which function DAS ( “Dual Axis Steering” (in German: biaxial steering) should have exactly. “I only heard rumors. I'm not sure what's true.”

The Ferrari driver can imagine that the feeling for the drivers must be unfamiliar when they are suddenly not only have to steer to the right or hyperlinks but also back and forth. “The feeling is a little strange, but you can get used to a lot.”

“The others seem to be faster than us”

Vettel makes a comparison: “If you only ever wear running shoes and someone tells you to put on flip-flops – you can, but it just feels different, “he tries to describe his thoughts.

He feels a little reminded of the time of the F-shaft. For the aerodynamic advantage, drivers had to use their hands or knees in the cockpit to temporarily close holes. “It is a little strange when you suddenly have the feeling that you are holding the steering wheel in your hands.”

Will Ferrari try to copy such a concept? “We are of course completely focused on our car. I don't know if it would be that easy. I don't think so because these things are never easy. I also believe that it is not easy to do.”

Vettel ended his first half test day in sixth place (+1, 063 seconds). He was able to complete a total of 73 rounds. “The battle the first day, you always get out with a smile.” The SF 1000 felt intestine. “The car does exactly what we expect.”

Actually, the German should have driven yesterday, but felt not match enough, so he only came into action today. Most of the Wednesday he spent in bed, he notes with a smile. He noticed the following: “At this point, the others seem to be faster than us. However, we do not know their test program.”

Ferrari was winding a program very similar to that of the previous year ab, explains the 32 year old. “Our main focus is on getting to know the car, driving kilometers, making sure that everything stops and that everything works.”

Winter tests 2019 “still in everyone's mind”

Interestingly, Vettel disagrees with his teammate Charles Leclerc on this point. The Monegasse spoke on Wednesday of a new approach of the Reds , “We have changed our approach a bit compared to last year.”

Reminder: Ferrari started the season in Melbourne as the winter king, but the top team was able to play the favorites throughout the first Half of the season does not do it justice. “Last year we were wide in the test drives, but not in the first race. We learned a little from that,” says Leclerc.

What does the new approach look like according to the Monegasque ? In contrast to the previous year, Ferrari now wanted to concentrate on itself and the SF 1000 get to know, only later focus on efficiency.

Vettel could not see a new approach on Thursday. “Not really,” says the German. “The winter test of the previous year is still in everyone's memory. But to be honest, it was two good weeks. We were on the same level, only then was there a missing step to Australia.”

2020 If you have to find out where you are, you won't be able to put yourself on the cards look. “We'll know more next week. Maybe we'll see a little more. Then we'll get some answers in Australia. Last year, our place-up wasn't great there.”

An advantage for Scuderia could be the greater flexibility in the coordination of the car. Leclerc enthused about this after the first day of testing. “It is never enough,” Vettel replies when asked about the short test period.

He is also aware that the races are not already decided in Barcelona. “It is not the most important thing to deliver here. It will be much more important to deliver the whole year then. But if you deliver here with ease, it will not harm you later.”