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6 - MORE CONTROLLED SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
Last year, the FIA suspected some teams were working on a system capable of using the movement of the steering to adjust the ride height of the car in a corner (in order to compensate for the nose and front wing lift that occurs when the driver comes off the brakes and causes a loss of grip).
McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull evaluated to varying degrees (Woking at the Austrian GP and Maranello at Spa), a system capable of keeping ride height as constant as possible. As you can see in the photo above (RB13), the idea is to extend and attach quite high one of the suspension elements.
However, in the spirit of the regulation, suspension movements can have no deliberate effect on the aerodynamic balance of the car. This is why the FIA issued a directive in December regulating more strictly the design of the steering and suspension elements for 2018.
The teams must now provide Charlie Whiting with a description proving their steering system does not affect the height of the front axle when the steering wheel is turned.
Last year, the FIA received a letter from Ferrari describing an interconnected suspension storing energy system. While the official purpose of the letter was the approval of Charlie Whiting, it was more intended to outlaw a device being used by Mercedes and Red Bull.
