What To Watch For in the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix.

The first race of the 2020 season is not until Sunday, but Mercedes have already achieved a victory of sorts after the stewards in Austria rejected a protest lodged by rivals Red Bull against their innovative Dual Axis Steering System (DAS).

Following two Mercedes-topped practice sessions at the opening round in Spielberg, it was announced Red Bull were protesting the legality of the system, which Mercedes first debuted in pre-season testing back in February, and which will be banned from 2021 onwards.

READ MORE: Hamilton heads another Mercedes 1-2 with Racing Point’s Perez third in Austria

Red Bull lodged a protest regarding an alleged breach of the Technical Regulations, specifically article 3.8 which refers to aerodynamic influence and article 10.2.3, which states “no adjustment may be made to any suspension system while the car is in motion”.

Lewis Hamilton's using the DAS system back in winter testing at Barcelona However, after a stewards hearing attended by members of both teams (in person or via video), as well as Nikolas Tombazis of the FIA Technical Department, it was determined that DAS is part of the Mercedes W11’s steering system, “albeit not a conventional one”.

As a result, the stewards decided that DAS could not be in breach of any suspension‐related regulations.

“As a general conclusion, it is very simple to conclude DAS would be illegal IF it were not part of the steering system,” read the stewards’ document. “So the main challenge and debate has to be on whether it can be considered to be part of the steering system. The stewards decide that DAS is a part of the steering system.

"Therefore the Stewards consider DAS to be a legitimate part of the steering system and hence to satisfy the relevant regulations regarding suspension or aerodynamic influence."

The full stewards verdict, with lengthy explanations of how they came to their verdict, can be read here.

The result means that Mercedes can continue to run the system, which is believed to allow the tyres to be heated more evenly on the straights – thus reducing wear and aiding grip – while still allowing maximum stability on corner entry.

Their rivals, meanwhile, may now look to adopt a version of the system themselves before the season is out – and Red Bull boss Christian Horner has already hinted his team may do just that...

Alex Zanardi seriously injured again in handbike crash.

Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi was seriously injured again in a handbike crash on Friday — nearly 20 years after losing both of his legs in a horrific auto racing accident.

Zanardi was transported by helicopter to Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital in Siena following an incident near the Tuscan town of Pienza during a national race for Paralympic athletes, police told The Associated Press.

A Carabinieri police official in Montepulciano said the incident involved a “heavy vehicle" and he believed Zanardi was still alive. The official did not give his name as per local custom.

Local TV at the scene of the crash showed what was apparently Zanardi’s handbike lying on its side and missing two of its three wheels. A large truck pulling a semitrailer appeared parked on the road ahead.

“It happened on a slightly downhill straightaway just before a slight curve in the road,” national team coach Mario Valentini, who was following the race, told La Repubblica Florence. “Alex veered slightly into the oncoming lane just when a truck came. (The truck) tried to swerve but couldn't avoid the crash.”

Repubblica said Zanardi remained conscious until medical personnel arrived, and that he was breathing by himself.

Racing great Mario Andretti tweeted, “I am so anxious and frightened about Alex Zanardi that I’m holding my breath. I am his fan. I am his friend. Please do what I’m doing and pray pray (for) this wonderful man.”

The Italian Olympic and Paralympic Committees had no immediate comment.

Zanardi won four gold medals in handbike at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics.

The 53-year-old Zanardi lost his legs in a horrific crash during a 2001 CART race in Germany.

At the time, Zanardi was a two-time CART champion who had recently returned from a second stint in Formula One and had plowed through the field to lead laps for the first time since he’d left the series after his 1998 title. The crash occurred when Zanardi spun his car after a pit stop and he was hit by another driver. Both legs were severed at impact.

Zanardi was an established racing star before the accident, and his accomplishments since transcend sports. An inspirational figure with an indomitable spirit, he designed his own prosthetics — he jokes he made himself taller — and learned to walk again. Then he returned to racing in touring cars. After that came hand cycling, a class victory in the New York City Marathon and Paralympic glory.

Last year, Zanardi competed in the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance race, driving in a race for the first time without prosthetics. He used a special steering wheel designed for him by BMW that allowed him to drive with hand levers.

QUALIFYING
0305 Jul 2020Red Bull Ring, SpielbergRolexRace sponsor
RACE
STARTING GRID
QUALIFYING
PRACTICE 3
PRACTICE 2
PRACTICE 1
POS NO DRIVER CAR Q1 Q2 Q3 LAPS
1 77 Valtteri Bottas MERCEDES 1:04.111 1:03.015 1:02.939 19
2 44 Lewis Hamilton MERCEDES 1:04.198 1:03.096 1:02.951 21
3 33 Max Verstappen RBR HONDA 1:04.024 1:04.000 1:03.477 23
4 4 Lando Norris MCL RENAULT 1:04.606 1:03.819 1:03.626 17
5 23 Alexander Albon DBR HONDA 1:04.661 1:03.746 1:03.868 18
6 11 Sergio Perez BWT MERCEDES 1:04.543 1:03.860 1:03.868 19
7 16 Charles Leclerc FERRARI 1:04.500 1:04.041 1:03.923 20
8 55 Carlos Sainz MCL RENAULT 1:04.537 1:03.971 1:03.971 18
9 18 Lance Stroll BWT MERCEDES 1:04.309 1:03.955 1:04.029 17
10 3 Daniel Ricciardo RENAULT 1:04.556 1:04.023 1:04.239 15
11 5 Sebastian Vettel FERRARI 1:04.554 1:04.206 13
12 10 Pierre Gasly ALP HONDA 1:04.603 1:04.305 14
13 26 Daniil Kvyat ALP HONDA 1:05.031 1:04.431 14
14 31 Esteban Ocon RENAULT 1:04.933 1:04.643 12
15 8 Romain Grosjean HAAS FERRARI 1:05.094 1:04.691 14
16 20 Kevin Magnussen HAAS FERRARI 1:05.164 8
17 63 George Russell WIL MERCEDES 1:05.167 10
18 99 Antonio Giovinazzi ALFA FERRARI 1:05.175 8
19 7 Kimi Räikkönen ALFA FERRARI 1:05.224 9
20 6 Nicholas Latifi WIL MERCEDES 1:05.757 12

Q1 107% time - 1:08.505

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