F1 teams told they CAN talk to drivers... 24 hours after Bernie Ecclestone backs radio ban at Singapore Grand Prix
- F1 teams will be allowed to speak to drivers during Singapore Grand Prix
- Bernie Ecclestone had previously backed call for extensive radio ban
- Teams will be able to transmit car performance but not give racing advice
- A full set of restrictions will be implemented next season
- Lewis Hamilton was fastest during practice at the Marina Bay Circuit
- Nico Rosberg's session was hampered by Pastor Maldonado's crash
Formula
One has never been confused for the Trappist Order, and so it proved
again in the humid paddock on Friday when the sport’s equivalent of
contemplative silence — an extensive ban on radio transmissions — was
abolished before it had started.
So
in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix teams will be allowed to send drivers
advice from the pit wall to the cockpit, farcically reversing an edict
that was being trumpeted by no less than Bernie Ecclestone only 24 hours
earlier.
However,
there are limits to what the boffins can tell the drivers to do.
Messages about the cars’ cutting-edge technology can still be relayed on
radio. Coaching them in where to change gear or brake or accelerate are
not.
Teams will be able to communicate with drivers over radio at the Singapore Grand Prix
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, pictured with wife Fabiana Flosi, had earlier backed calls for a ban
The Marina Bay Circuit will stage round 14 of this season's race for the F1 world drivers' championships
Hurrah for that, at least. The 22 track jockeys, multi-millionaires among them, are the cream of a billion drivers in the world.
In
a statement, the FIA said: ‘It seems to us that information being
passed to the driver concerning the performance of his car should be
separated from information concerning his own performance. Why the
change? The teams argued that safety would be imperilled if the full
rule change was rushed through. Some thought they could be
disadvantaged.
Race
director Charlie Whiting said: ‘It became clear that some teams would be
seriously hampered compared to others, not just in their know-how or
ability to react in the short term, but also with hardware choices that
were made a year ago.
‘Two
types of dashboard were available to the teams, and one can show a
great deal more than the other. So in the interest of fairness we felt
it would be better to introduce it in two stages and that is what we
have done now.’
Drivers like Lewis Hamilton will be able to receive car performance information but not racing tips
Hamilton was fastest during practice at the Marina Bay Circuit ahead of Sunday's race
Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel keeps in touch with mechanics as he walks the pit lane
Instead,
the full set of restrictions will be in place next season. Let’s hope
the matter is carefully considered rather than hastily introduced and
even more hurriedly rescinded as has happened here.
So
what precisely is still banned? Teams will not be able to tell a driver
how his line, use of kerbs, cornering technique compares to another
competitor or in what way his gear selection differs from anyone
else’s.
He
cannot be advised where to brake or apply the throttle or when to use
of his drag reduction system or other overtake buttons. What punishment
will be imposed? That is yet to be decided. A stop-go penalty — holding a
driver in the pit lane — or moving him down the grid are possibilities.
That is for the stewards to decide, though Whiting said the sanction
would be ‘sporting rather than financial’.
There
are potential problems in this. For example, will the race be subject
to long post-race stewards’ verdicts? Will teams deliver messages in
code or accuse rivals of doing so?
However,
generally, the move to greater restrictions is positive. Drivers are
the stars of motor racing and to denude them of their power undermines
the allure of the sport.
‘This is not PlayStation,’ said Force India’s owner and team principal Vijay Mallya.
‘These
rules that drivers should not be aided have been around for a long time
but they have been abused for a long time, and this gets us back to
that.’ In practice on Friday, with Lewis Hamilton fastest, there was
only minor confusion. Drivers occasionally asked for information but had
to be denied it.
British and German press have differing notions over whether ban will favour Hamilton or Nico Rosberg
Championship leader Nico Rosberg towels off in the garage during a practice session
Jenson Button claims that communication restrictions will favour hard working drivers
The
most important question is how the new ruling will impact on the fight
for the world drivers’ title between Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate
Nico Rosberg.
Amusingly,
the majority view in the German papers was that the changes favoured
Rosberg, the more thoughtful of the two, while in Britain Hamilton was
largely thought to be at an advantage because he is the more natural
racer who does not need instructions to find speed.
There
is logic to both theories. Jenson Button said hard-working drivers
would be rewarded, and that sounded a reasonable appraisal.
Rosberg
was hampered in practice when the red flag was waved when Pastor
Maldonado crashed his Lotus, stopping his qualifying simulation lap. He
ended up 13th in the time-sheets, just over a second-and-a-half behind
Hamilton.
Pastor Maldonado climbs out of his car after crashing during practice, an incident that hampered Rosberg
Maldonado's Lotus car is removed from the track by marshals after the Venezuelan's crash
Another
factor is the conditions. The race is long at nearly two hours and,
even though it is held in the night, humidity and heat are oppressive.
The drivers were dripping wet as they conducted their post-qualifying
media engagements last night.
Hamilton,
who trails Rosberg by 22 points, is supported here by his father
Anthony and stepmother Linda — putting him in touch at this crucial
stage of the season with the man who shaped his career.
Hamilton
said: ‘They said they wanted to come, so I said yeah. I doubt they will
be at every race but it is good to have their positivity. You have to
keep the faith. There is never any question. It’s been like that since I
was eight years old. I woke up believing that I could win the race and
the championship. That was always our mentality. Me and my dad.’
Vettel still holds the lap record of 1:48.574 sec at the Singapore Grand Prix
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