Formula One Opener Canceled as Coronavirus Casts Shadow Over Season
McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, Renault, Racing Point, AlphaTauri and Williams issued a joint statement, saying they were “surprised and shocked” by the confidentiality of the settlement.
They are seeking “full and proper disclosure in this matter, to ensure that our sport treats all competitors fairly and equally.”
Binotto has said his team “will work hard to improve and to be in a position to win races as soon as possible.”
Mercedes will be aided by a new device it unveiled in preseason, the dual-axis steering, or D.A.S.
On the second day of tests, video showed Lewis Hamilton, the six-time champion, pulling the steering column toward him at the start of the straight and pushing it back in as he exited.
The effect changes the toe angle, or tracking, of the front wheels. That increases traction on the straight, which improves speed.
Hamilton is hopeful that “it will make a huge difference.” Toto Wolff, the team’s motorsport boss, has dismissed comments from rivals that the change could improve the lap time of the cars by up to two seconds.
“Whoever thinks it will give us two seconds is wrong,” he said. “It is one of many innovations in the new car. Ultimately, it is the overall package that is crucial.”
Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/sports/autoracing/australian-grand-prix-canceled.html