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

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Superbird70, 13/09/2014 0:06

"Does a heads-up display inside the helmet count as a driver aid if they can send messages? Everyone will be wearing Google glass next or maybe Mercedes can install little warning lights in the mirrors to warn of a car in the blind-spot? Something like that could even be put on a production car. Sensors in the nose to warn of a collision...the possibilities are endless."

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2. Posted by Ro, 12/09/2014 21:41

"It beggars belief. They try to cut costs down, and yet there are 30 - 50 "analysts" either at the circuit or back at HQ "Analizing" what the driver should do. Only now, you realise how good the old drivers were, nursed the tyres, the fuel. I say ban all communications and car to pit telemetry. Manufactures say they want F1 to promote their car sales. Who in the hell do we call when we cant overtake the car in front on the M25....should I pit at Clackett Lane Services ??? Does my car warn BMW Bracknell that Im running low on oil, again ???"

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3. Posted by miss d'it, 12/09/2014 18:19

"At last.
It was getting ridiculus.
They have become slaves to the backroom staff.
The cars have 100ltr per race, give the driver a good old fashioned fuel gauge, and let them race the socks off the car, if they run out of fuel, tough (we know by know in this season that no-one has run out yet, so there is some scope). Let them use the pit boards, or even more radical, lets have an info swap (writing on a paper) at a pit stop. Emergency calls like 'stop the car to save engine/gearbox' etc should stay. But lets have drivers drive and leave the techs for debrief etc."

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4. Posted by nonickname, 12/09/2014 12:48

"A number of manufacturers are working on self drive cars now.This could be the next step for F1. Just think..total state of the art, 'pinnacle of motorsport' action in total safety...no drivers .Cost saving as well no marshals or medical back up needed. (don't laugh, we already have armed drones and the pilot less fighter is under test).Then we could link it to Formula E and even the bunny huggers would watch."

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5. Posted by Spindoctor, 12/09/2014 11:39

"Another ill-conceived and poorly implemented rule that will improve nothing and cause endless controversy. Instead of putting the emphasis back on the driver & his ability this will be a happy hunting ground for protests and demands for "action" over real, imagined, or simply made up infringements....

That's not to say I wouldn't welcome a realistic means of limiting the "drive by numbers" culture that's becoming established in F1. Unfortunately it's a Genie was let out a long while ago, and the only realistic means of preventing it would be a total ban on pit to car communications. That can't happen in modern F1 for numerous, blatantly obvious reasons.
Ultimately, and notwithstanding all the advice, psychological support and intentionally misleading BS that flies around during races, it IS the driver who is ultimately in control. It might help Nico to know Lewis brakes 5 metres later, or is .05 seconds faster here, or there (or vice versa) , but it doesn't mean he can emulate it unless the cars were identically set-up. I doubt they are.

I have no problem with more generalised "strategic" information like "push now" or "manage fuel\tires\regeneration" these are all data that teams & drivers use to maximise their competitiveness - put me in Nico's Merc, and I won't go any faster as a result of having the information!"

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6. Posted by Tom2681, 12/09/2014 11:16

"Great idea, horrible execution.
This new directive is vague, open to interpretation and easily circumvented. Teams and drivers just need to speak in code instead of plain english.
Want to put the driver back in charge? Ban car-to-pit telemetry, that'll do it."

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7. Posted by White Lightning, 12/09/2014 10:40

"@Simon in Adelaide - I'm not *quite* that cynical yet...;)"

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8. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 12/09/2014 9:48

"WL I thought the essence of F1 was to finish ahead of your competitors in the Championship in the slowest time possible."

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9. Posted by White Lightning, 12/09/2014 9:18

"The very essence of F1 is getting from point A (the lights) to point B (the flag) in the quickest time. If having somebody in your ear telling you how to do that, then let it be.

F1 2014 is the last days of Rome."

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10. Posted by thespacerace, 12/09/2014 9:06

"I think pit-driver-car communication should be 100% banned. Build the car, and let the driver drive it. "Turn the brakes to mode 98 and the engine to mode 99" is not motor racing. Essential (e.g. safety) messages can be transmitted the old fashioned way - pit boards."

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11. Posted by Hobgoblin, 12/09/2014 8:20

"Very big and grey area between strategy and advice - this is going to lead to tears, protests, and contraversy. If we thought 'Fernando is faster than you' was contraversial, we ain't seen nothing yet!

Yet another way for the FIA to interfere with the racing and the results of a race/championship. Very poor decision."

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12. Posted by MDH, 12/09/2014 8:15

"I believe that there is an argument for taking this further. Although F1 is a team sport, the drivers' role is to use his skill and experience to race. However, increasing influence from the pits means that the drivers role is being diminished - hence the new directive. But the role of the driver might be further enhanced if only one-way (driver to team) was permitted during the race. This would reintroduce driver race craft as a factor."

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13. Posted by my tyres are going off, 12/09/2014 7:57

"I loved the drivers being told to make up time in turn 1 or brake later at turn 2 but I to fail to see how this ban will work as it just means a load of coded messages that the fans will not understand. Prepare for "Happy switch to mode three and sky five." Which could mean Nico is 3 tenths faster than you in in turn five or of course it may not"

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14. Posted by karel, 12/09/2014 7:27

"One of the next regulations is a speed sign max 50"

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15. Posted by petes, 12/09/2014 0:55

"Oh great! Another sign of Charlie having long passed his use-by.
Most positive aspect of this I can foresee is we should see some engines putting out smoke clouds as they go bang."

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FIA bans driver performance radio calls

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