Ocon: I didn't know about Mercedes' DAS system

  • Published on 24 Mar 2020 10:29
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Esteban Ocon claims that he was unaware of the Dual Axis Steering (DAS) system Mercedes introduced for the 2020 Formula 1 season.

At pre-season testing, the Silver Arrows made headlines when its steering wheel made fore and aft movements with commands from the driver.

Doing so changed the toe angle of the W11, leaving Mercedes' rivals scratching their hands and wondering over its legality.

Ocon spent the 2019 season with Mercedes as its reserve driver before moving to Renault in 2020 as a full-time driver alongside Daniel Ricciardo

Despite the time he spent with the German manufacturer over the last 12 months, he claims that he was in the dark over the DAS system.

“I didn't, I swear I didn't!” he told French broadcaster Canal+ when asked if he knew about the system ahead of the 2020 campaign.

"Either they were very, very clever and didn't show me the effect of the system or they came up with it very late and designed it once I was gone, once I was stuck between Renault and Mercedes.

"After the end of the season, I wasn't allowed to go back to the factory, I wasn't allowed to come back and work on the simulator. Either it was then or they were very clever. But I think they more likely came up with the system at the end of the year, when I left."

Ocon made his on-track debut for Renault at post-season testing in Abu Dhabi last December before starting preparations for his full-time comeback.

However, it is not yet known when he will make his race debut for the Enstone-based outfit, as the season continues to be delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 02:29

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 02:29

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 446
  • Podiums 4
  • Grand Prix 156
  • Country FR
  • Date of b. Sep 17 1996 (28)
  • Place of b. Évreux, FR
  • Weight 66 kg
  • Length 1.86 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar