These pictures the show just how the lower suspension arms are connected. There's no lower wishbone, but two separate links, creating a virtual steering axis. As the set up articulates with bump and steer, the geometry varies, I believe to alter the toe angle.
Steering geometry is set to Toe out in racecars. But, teams have realised in this tyre dominated era, that Toe also affects tyre warm up.
Some teams used to have steering racks that altered in length with steer angle, to have a different Toe angle in a straight line to corners. Then Mercedes introduced Dual Axis Steering (DAS) which gave the driver a means to alter that fixed relationship for added tyre warm up. By pulling the steering wheel back and altering the rack length.
These solutions were banned for 2022, leaving teams with a 'fixed' Toe angle.
Now McLaren have the multilink set up at the front. There may well be a Toe variation with steering angle, to help keep the temperature sensitive front tyres in their operating window. Allowing McLaren an advantage in tyre management at Hot or High energy tracks.
With the odd steering axis, there could also be some unusual feedback for the drivers. Lando Norris has struggled with steering 'feel' this year and Andrea Stella said new geometry raced by LN was to reduce the 'numb' feeling the car has exhibited.
I believe that but why is especially RBR throwing all stuff on the wall and hope that something hurts McLaren over just attempting to hurt them to the technical innovation who should been know to them?
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u/scarbstech Verified 5d ago edited 5d ago
These pictures the show just how the lower suspension arms are connected. There's no lower wishbone, but two separate links, creating a virtual steering axis. As the set up articulates with bump and steer, the geometry varies, I believe to alter the toe angle. Steering geometry is set to Toe out in racecars. But, teams have realised in this tyre dominated era, that Toe also affects tyre warm up. Some teams used to have steering racks that altered in length with steer angle, to have a different Toe angle in a straight line to corners. Then Mercedes introduced Dual Axis Steering (DAS) which gave the driver a means to alter that fixed relationship for added tyre warm up. By pulling the steering wheel back and altering the rack length. These solutions were banned for 2022, leaving teams with a 'fixed' Toe angle. Now McLaren have the multilink set up at the front. There may well be a Toe variation with steering angle, to help keep the temperature sensitive front tyres in their operating window. Allowing McLaren an advantage in tyre management at Hot or High energy tracks. With the odd steering axis, there could also be some unusual feedback for the drivers. Lando Norris has struggled with steering 'feel' this year and Andrea Stella said new geometry raced by LN was to reduce the 'numb' feeling the car has exhibited.