McLaren boss, Andreas Seidl admits that he is not a fan of the decision to broadcast Michael Masi's radio discussions with the teams.

As if the bickering between the drivers, race engineers and team bosses wasn't enough, as Formula One Management seeks to play-up the Netflixisation of the sport in terms of rivalries and ill feeling it is now offering race fans access to race director, Michael Masi's conversations.

Already under intense scrutiny and pressure, often blamed for those decisions actually made by the stewards, Masi had a nightmare of a race on Sunday, at one stage the Australian even eclipsing Nikita Mazepin in terms of mob outrage on social media.

For many, the low point, other than his plea to Mercedes that "I can only push as many buttons as I can", was the 'bargaining' with Red Bull and its German rival over what place Max Verstappen would take on the grid at the second restart.

Far from enhancing the F1 experience, many believe that broadcasting such conversations actually puts the sport in a bad light, among them is Andreas Seidl.

"I think the only reason why it is a debate now is because it gets transmitted," he tells Speedcafe.com. "Before, you didn't hear that stuff. That's a big difference.

"To be honest, from my point of view, I was never a fan to broadcast this communication," he admits, "because there's also things going back and forward regarding safety, et cetera, which I don't think necessarily should always be broadcast.

"But it's my opinion on it," he continued. "I don't think that the communication principle has changed, I would say in terms of what's going backwards and forwards it's even more control than in the past because everyone knows it gets broke."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 08/12/2021 23:13

"@ Defiant...Thanks for your response. Opening up the comments between pit and car has been quite a revelation especially when witnessing the pressure applied to the FIA on specific issuers. It does sometimes appear to be tantamount to bullying.....Like many others this 'secrecy' lark is all to do with certain teams who are trying to influence outcomes. Keep it up FIA, I like to witness a more open and candid approach. "

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2. Posted by Defiant, 08/12/2021 19:46

"@kenji youre right, I think these things may be embarrassing and make them look bad, but it does shine a light on what happens behind the curtains, that has to be a good thing for us spectators.."

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3. Posted by Spindoctor, 08/12/2021 10:06

"Further to my original comment I fail to see what light has been shed on which "machinations". My take was that the broadcasts are merely to add a bit of spice & titillation, conning the unwary into believing we are party to the 'behind the scenes' goings-on. I feel it's all carefully choreographed - none of the really dirty laundry, nor dodgy dealing is released to us groundlings.
In short it's all part of the show that is "New Formula One""

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4. Posted by kenji, 08/12/2021 8:37

"Anything that opens up the insider machinations between the teams/FIA is most welcome. For too long these comms have been considered 'private' but now we all get to see and judge just who is pulling the strings, why and when. How can that be unwelcome? IMO throwing a cloak if secrecy over these comments is regressive."

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5. Posted by Superbird70, 08/12/2021 2:25

"Bwaah!!"

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6. Posted by VC10-1103, 07/12/2021 14:47

"If these radio comms are to continue I vote for Kimi to take over as Race Director, he'll be available next year!"

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7. Posted by Hobgoblin, 07/12/2021 14:03

"and by giving visibility to the fans, the fans can voice their desire for change.
If anyone listens though is another question."

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8. Posted by @R1Racing71, 07/12/2021 13:44

"Oh come on it's thoroughly entertaining :)"

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9. Posted by Spindoctor, 07/12/2021 13:41

"I tend to agree. I thought the various broadcasts seriously 'lowered the tone'. Some things should remain "private""

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Seidl not in favour of FIA radio broadcasting

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