F1: FIA dismisses radio ban safety fears

FIA Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting has dismissed claims the new radio restrictions for 2016 pose safety risks because communication to drivers is so limited.

Going into the season, the governing body opted to rigorously enforce article 27.1 of the sporting regulations that states "the driver shall drive the car alone and unaided." Mercedes encountered difficulties with brake temperatures and tire wear that almost derailed race winner Nico Rosberg's hopes in the Australian GP, leading its motorsport boss Toto Wolff to suggest the lack of communication "is definitely going to lead to situations which are beyond the engineers' control".

"It's a question of managing it between the team and the driver without the need for the radio, without being told what settings to apply. They'll deal with it."

Whiting believes the new rules, which were tweaked on race day in Australia, made a good debut in a race complicated by a red flag stoppage.

"I feel we have hit the right balance, personally," he said. "There were a few glitches when the race was stopped.

"A lot of the fuel recalculations weren't reset, and stuff like that, so we had to fiddle about with a few of those with the teams. Teams had to tell the drivers to do a couple of things they wouldn't normally have been allowed to do, but that was all done in consultation, so that was fine."

Rosberg believes F1 has taken a step in the right direction with the ban on radio traffic.

"It really gives us more responsibility in the race," he said. "It's a good challenge and a tough challenge.

"The most important thing is the fans think it's the right direction. I think it's what they wanted, because they were saying all these instructions on the radio got annoying, so it's great."

Originally on Autosport.com