F1 teams banned from sending coded messages

LewisHamilton

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) on Tuesday clarified the messages that are still permitted to be relayed via radio.

This follows a technical directive issued to teams last week which, advised that any transmission related to the performance of a car or driver would be considered a breach of Formula One sporting regulations.

The prohibited communications listed extend to pit-board communications, with the new rules coming into force immediately ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

Along with coded messages, communication detailing information on a rival's sector times and the level of fuel saving required is also banned.

Furthermore, teams will no longer be able to answer direct technical questions from drivers, such as "am I using the right torque map?"

The restrictions placed on radio communication come following concerns that drivers were receiving too much assistance from the paddock.

It is stated in F1's sporting regulations that "the driver must drive the car alone and unaided", although there are questions over the safety implications of limiting the amount of assistance a driver can receive from engineers.

Pit to car telemetry that has the ability to tweak the car’s settings has also been banned, but communications regarding tyre pressures and temperatures and brake wear and temperatures will not be forbidden in Singapore to allow teams to adjust to the changes.

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