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Is Mercedes W12 F1 car big speed secret moveable hydraulic damping shocks?

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John S:
The German website Pitwalk.de thinks so and suggests that the Mercedes car uses hydraulic shock absorbers to gain speed, both on the sides and on the third element in the middle of the car, in the transmission. The hydraulics work via small valves in the dampers that let the hydraulic oil through in different volume flows. If you manage to influence the opening and closing times of these valves, you can virtually pull the dampers down. This allows the whole car to be lowered, reducing drag on the straights and increasing top speeds.

https://www.pitwalk.de/pitblog/fuhr-hamilton-illegal

In Formula 1, it is illegal to have this system automated. Active suspensions are not allowed. Therefore, to make it legal in Formula 1, the driver himself needs to make a command. If Pitwalk.de is right and Mercedes really does have this on the car, Hamilton will need to actively do something and this could be the forward and backwards movement on the steering wheel.
Footage of the steering wheel being possibly moved 'back n forth' during Quali in Brazil is highlighted in a video clip below titled 'Lewis using DAS System during Qualy Lap steering wheel moves'. So Are Merc able to manipulate the ride height this way????

Jericoke:
I kinda hope this is true.

I love the innovation in the sport, stretching the rules to their absurd limits.

Almost seems ridiculous the cars DON'T have this sort of control over the suspension.  If it's legal, why not?

Alianora La Canta:
Probably because it's very complicated and was supposed to be banned in 2021 along with standard DAS (Mercedes may well have found a loophole and I can completely believe that).

cosworth151:
I can see a bit of logic in not allowing automatic ride height control. As much control as possible should be left in the hands of the driver. That said, letting the driver adjust ride height seems like a good thing.

This isn't some new, cutting edge tech. Claw Grrl had a mid-1990's Lincoln LSC that had full automatic ride height control:

Jericoke:

--- Quote from: cosworth151 on December 28, 2021, 02:49:44 PM ---I can see a bit of logic in not allowing automatic ride height control. As much control as possible should be left in the hands of the driver. That said, letting the driver adjust ride height seems like a good thing.

This isn't some new, cutting edge tech. Claw Grrl had a mid-1990's Lincoln LSC that had full automatic ride height control:



--- End quote ---

I drove a Lincoln Mark VIII as a teen (my dad had borrowed it, hardly my daily driver), and it was the most fun I've ever had driving.

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