Shortly before the 2016 Formula One season got underway in Australia, the FIA announced further radio restrictions that will leave drivers with less information about the car. The FIA had previously announced radio restrictions, but the list of bans has increased since then.
The new limitations are applied to radio communications, as well as pit boards and any other methods used to communicate information to the drivers. Any information that the stewards believe is code will be investigated and penalties may be applied for teams that are in breach of the regulations.
The teams may still communicate information about damage or system failures on their car or a competitor’s car. They can still be notified about the use of the DRS and can still tell the drivers when to enter the pits, only on the lap that they are supposed to enter the pits. Safety information, such as the track conditions and track marshaling, can be passed to the driver, as well as any messages from race control.
Although they were previously allowed to, teams are no longer allowed to discuss their tyre choice for the next pitstop over the team radio and are not allowed to tell drivers about their competitors’ tyre choices or any other race strategy of a competitor. Track limit reminders are also banned for 2016.
Somewhat surprisingly, teams are still allowed to use team orders and advise drivers of anyone’s lap times and gaps between cars. Drivers will also receive information about traffic. Teams are allowed to use generic messages, such as “push hard”, but the stewards will keep a close ear for messages that are being used as codes.
The new regulations regarding the radio have been largely criticized by people claiming that it will be too difficult for the FIA to police the radio in a fair enough way. It’s unclear how much of a factor the new radio bans will play on the race, if any at all. The regulations will be put into action for the first time at the Australian Grand Prix, which starts this weekend.
