Formula One Chiefs considering a radio clampdown

Formula One Chiefs considering a radio clampdown

It was announced yesterday that Formula 1 chiefs are considering a team radio clampdown as part of a push to make the sport more challenging for drivers again.

This is followed from discussions at an F1 Strategy Group meeting at the Italian Grand Prix and it is understood a number of teams have asked the FIA to find a way of banning certain types of radio communications because they are considered a turn-off for fans.

The radical push for this clampdown has been prompted by the theory that a perception that drivers are ‘puppets’ who simply follow instructions from the pits is one of the factors in F1’s popularity decline.
There is also particular concern that drivers are relying more and more on information from the pits about where they can gain laptime, especially in comparison with their team-mates. This is especially true of championship contenders Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who have both been fed constant information by Mercedes this season on how best to drive on the track.

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier has told reporters over the weekend that the ramping up of radio messages this year was a legacy of the new fuel efficiency rules but he has conceded that the situation could be better for fans. Boullier stated the following over the Italian Grand Prix weekend about the matter

'The constraint we have this year is less fuel, and harder tyres, and I understand it may be a confusing message for the fans that the drivers have to save tyres and they have to save fuel, whatever.

'Radio messages and instructions have always been done since the radio was first in place. It [the issue] is something new now because it has been broadcast for the past three years. FOM could switch it off, or filter it. But at the end, why not go with another rule that is going to make it simpler and let the driver express himself a bit more on track? It is better, of course.'

As Boullier points out with the new technical regulations that have started this season in Formula One's new era, it is clear that radio messages between the teams and the drivers have changed. But let us remember that when messages that are broadcast on television say for example that Lewis Hamilton is told to save his tyres, it is important that Hamilton knows this information and it would seem that FOM deem it important for it to air on television to keep the fans up to date with the latest ongoings with Hamilton in a race situation.

Boullier does make a valid point that FOM could indeed switch off or filter the radio messages that are broadcast live on television as a practice session, qualifying session or race is taking place. But then that would defeat the object of keeping their audience up to date with the latest information that is ongoing during a race weekend.

But as Boullier states himself, if this was to be implemented; then what are the chances of the drivers expressing themselves on track? I think the chances would be very high and I think that the drivers tend to express themselves on track anyways through their driving and also after the race when they are interviewed by the media, so I don't see how Boullier's solution would work in reality if this was to be filtered.

Although there is little desire for a total ban on team radio, it is understood that efforts will be made to outlaw specific communications from the pits that help drivers with their performance. This is likely to come from a strict enforcement of Article 20.1 of F1’s Sporting Regulations that states: “The driver must drive the car alone and unaided.”

The FIA could make it clear that any communication from the pits that helps the drivers with their performance (rather than being for procedural or safety reasons) is a breach of the rules. It would seem that radio conversations from drivers (especially the more entertaining ones popular among fans) will still continue unchanged.

It has also been announced that there will be more discussions between the teams and the FIA on the matter and a clarification is expected before the Singapore GP. And I feel that this issue does need to be clarified by the FIA as quickly as possible and that viable solutions need to be found that benefit every team and driver on the grid before the matter gets out of hand.

If the FIA decide after discussions with the teams that if any of them are found to be breaching Article 20.1 of the Sporting Regulations, then they will have to face the consequences of their actions. This in turn will send out a warning to the rest of the grid and would therefore ensure that if broken, the FIA will not tolerate it.

But I think most pundits and fans would be in agreement with myself and feel that the matter as the one I have discussed above should not be allowed to air and should be punished if any team or driver are found doing so. But what shouldn't be filtered is the 'entertaining' conversations that we hear on team radio that the fans enjoy and also provide a real life and up to date commentary on their favourite team or driver in a racing situation.

This issue does need to be sorted out as quickly as possible, with little fuss as possible and has an outcome that everyone is happy with and the consequences and punishments are crystal clear on what will happen if anyone is found to be breaking the rules. Question is; what will be agreed by the teams and the FIA over the next few weeks regarding this matter? We shall have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks.