F1 News

Lewis Hamilton's steering wheel is causing debate about its legality

20 February 2020 at 10:39
  • Bevan Youl

Lewis Hamilton’s steering wheel of the Mercedes W11 has been at the centre of attention during the morning of the second day of testing in Barcelona at the Circuit de Catalunya, with some questioning its legality.

Hamilton topped the times on the first day and back in the car for the morning session of day two, but on-board footage of the six-time World Champion showed movement with his steering wheel.

Particularly upon entering and exit straights and hard braking zones it can been seen
that the Briton pushes and pulls his steering wheel.
 
It seems that movement adjusts the alignment of the front wheels, with a pull of the steering wheel pinching them in and straightening them, while a push relaxes the wheels.
 
The on-board footage also shows a ‘marker’ appear on his dashboard when performing the manoeuvre.

Hamilton and Mercedes technical director James Allison are set to appear in a press conference Thursday afternoon.