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F1 Restrictions On Radio Messages Lifted
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Formula 1 has opted to lift its controversial ban on radio transmissions with immediate effect.
The decision has been taken following Thursday's meeting of the Strategy Group in Geneva, receiving unanimous support from FIA president Jean Todt, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the six teams involved: Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Williams and Force India.
Ecclestone told Autosport: "We've decided to open up radio communication again. "Everyone will again be able to say what they want."
Asked whether that would be from this weekend's German Grand Prix, Ecclestone replied: "Yes."
Autosport understands there will still be restrictions in place on the formation lap and that drivers cannot be passed information about clutch-bite points and mapping ahead of the race start.
The restrictions were introduced by the FIA at the start of the season, and tightened up ahead of the last race in Hungary. But when Jenson Button was penalized for receiving a message from McLaren despite an impending brake failure in the Hungaroring race, widespread condemnation followed.
Button slated the regulations as "stupid" and "a joke," suggesting F1 "has a long way to go before it's good again."
Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene and Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner also declared a number of regulations to be overcomplicated, and that common sense needed to be applied.
Ecclestone also declared the lack of radio traffic was "not good for the show" when it came to the television audience.
A statement from the FIA read: "At the request of the teams and the commercial rights holder, the FIA has agreed to adopt a more liberal approach to the interpretation of article 27.1 (that a driver must drive the car alone and unaided).
"With the exception of the period between the start of the formation lap and the start of the race, there will be no limitations on messages teams send to their drivers either by radio or pit board.
"This approach is aimed at providing improved content for fans and spectators, as teams will now be required to provide the commercial rights holder with unrestricted access to their radio messages at all times their cars are out of the garage."
The decision has been taken following Thursday's meeting of the Strategy Group in Geneva, receiving unanimous support from FIA president Jean Todt, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the six teams involved: Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Williams and Force India.
Ecclestone told Autosport: "We've decided to open up radio communication again. "Everyone will again be able to say what they want."
Asked whether that would be from this weekend's German Grand Prix, Ecclestone replied: "Yes."
Autosport understands there will still be restrictions in place on the formation lap and that drivers cannot be passed information about clutch-bite points and mapping ahead of the race start.
The restrictions were introduced by the FIA at the start of the season, and tightened up ahead of the last race in Hungary. But when Jenson Button was penalized for receiving a message from McLaren despite an impending brake failure in the Hungaroring race, widespread condemnation followed.
Button slated the regulations as "stupid" and "a joke," suggesting F1 "has a long way to go before it's good again."
Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene and Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner also declared a number of regulations to be overcomplicated, and that common sense needed to be applied.
Ecclestone also declared the lack of radio traffic was "not good for the show" when it came to the television audience.
A statement from the FIA read: "At the request of the teams and the commercial rights holder, the FIA has agreed to adopt a more liberal approach to the interpretation of article 27.1 (that a driver must drive the car alone and unaided).
"With the exception of the period between the start of the formation lap and the start of the race, there will be no limitations on messages teams send to their drivers either by radio or pit board.
"This approach is aimed at providing improved content for fans and spectators, as teams will now be required to provide the commercial rights holder with unrestricted access to their radio messages at all times their cars are out of the garage."
