FIA eases F1 radio clampdown rules

The FIA has decided to delay a total clampdown on team radio messages in Formula 1 until the start of next year, but any effort to help a driver with his own performance is still banned with immediate effect.

The governing body has agreed to a compromise following concerns expressed by teams to F1 race director Charlie Whiting during a meeting on Thursday about technical and safety implications of new limits imposed on messages to drivers.

In a note sent to teams on Friday morning, the FIA said it accepted the technical complexity of 2014 cars meant outlawing any messages about car changes could have unintended consequences. There was particular concern over drivers being informed about the state of batteries and energy recovery systems, plus the lack of warning they could have about safety items such as brakes.

Concerns were also raised over teams that had opted for a smaller steering wheel information display being at more of a disadvantage from the changes than outfits with bigger screens.

The FIA notice said: "Any list of restrictions imposed at short notice will have a significantly different effect from team-to-team."

After accepting the clampdown could cause problems, the FIA said it would delay the ban on information relating to the performance of the car until 2015, as that will give teams more time to prepare properly. However, the FIA made it clear that any information from teams regarding a drivers' performance is still banned. Any breach would result in a team being reported to the race stewards.

The FIA has clarified messages that it will deem to be against the rules, whether delivered by radio or pitboard:

• Driving lines on the circuit
• Contact with curbs
• Car setup parameters for specific corners
• Comparative or absolute sector time detail of another driver
• Speeds in corners compared to another driver
• Gear selection compared with another driver
• Gear selection in general
• Braking points
• Rate of braking compared to another driver
• Rate of braking or application of brakes in general
• Car stability under braking
• Throttle application compared to another driver
• Throttle application in general
• Use of DRS compares with another driver
• Use of any overtake button
• Driving technique in general