11/09/2014
NEWS STORY
With immediate effect, the FIA has banned all radio communications between drivers and their teams related to performance
Whilst conversation between a driver and his engineers related to tyre strategy and pit stop strategy can continue, conversation of the type which have increased this season whereby drivers call on their teams for driving advice are no longer allowed.
"In order to ensure the requirements of Article 20.1 of the F1 sporting regulations are respected at all times, the FIA intends to rigorously enforce this regulation with immediate effect," wrote Charlie Whiting in a directive sent to all the teams, Article 20.1 of the Sporting Regulation stating that "the driver must drive the car alone and unaided"
"Therefore, no radio conversation from pit to driver may include any information that is related to the performance of the car or driver.
"The FIA should also remind you data transmission from pit to car is specifically prohibited by Article 8.5.2 of the F1 technical regulations."
As recently as Monza, drivers, most notably Nico Rosberg, could be heard asking for advice, which to many, including the powers-that-be, gives the impression that there is more than one person driving the car even if there is only one pair of hands on the stee4ring wheel.
Chris Balfe