Team radio: What will and won't be acceptable?

[Andy_Bangle]

No more Hammer Time!

 

The FIA has chosen to enforce a ban on performance related team radio between team and driver in an attempt to remove the stigma that drivers are simply 'puppets' controlled by higher powers within the team. The ban, which comes under Article 20.1 of the sporting regulations which states: "The driver must drive the car alone and unaided," will see a drop in the number of radio broadcasts simply because the majority of messages at present are performance related.

 

Banned Team Radio

Fuel: If a driver is low on fuel, using too much or too little, then this information must be displayed on their steering wheel.

Brakes: Too hot or too cold? Would a driver benefit from moving the balance forward/backwards? Well this can't be communicated via the team radio.

Tyres: If the driver has a slow puncture, wearing the rears too much compared to a rival, then the driver should identify the problem and report it to the team.

Codes: Mix 5, Hammer Time, Map 2, etc. These will also be banned.

Formation Lap: The team cannot request a certain number of burnouts, start procedure, brake/tyre warming etc, this should all be agreed beforehand.

Timing: How often have we heard, driver X is quicker through turns 7 and 8, try saving ERS for this section. This won't be allowed.

 

Allowed Team Radio 

Team Orders: As team orders are allowed under the regulations and not considered performance related, but strategic, they can still be communicated.

Traffic: The team can still inform a driver if they're approaching traffic or if they need to open a gap - this happens mostly throughout practice and qualifying of which the team radio limits remain in place.

Pit Stops: The team can call a driver in for a pit stop, or communicate a certain lap to stop on.

Safety: If a radio call is for safety reasons, this is allowed. For example if someone has stopped on the circuit, or if there is debris, the team can pass this information to the driver. 

[Cuprabob]

Kimi will be happy:-)

[Arch]

[Luke]

Funny thIng is, MotoGP has no pits to rider radio, just the good old fashioned pitboard.

Perhaps F1 should do the same.

[SeanKHotay]

"Your ice cream is melting. Kimi, I repeat, your ice cream is melting"