With an increase in the restrictions on radio communication between the drivers and race engineers, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff feels that drivers will make more errors in F1 2016 season. The strict regulation will result in drivers being prone to strategic mistakes during a race.

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff

Wolff said, “Because of the new regulations, we are so much restricted in passing information to the drivers during the race. Strategy, engine-mode deployment, tyre choices and even pit stops will be down to the driver to decide.”
Lewis Hamilton too showed concern over the strict regulations and enforcing teams to communicate less with the drivers. He said that he did not understand the reason behind the move which, Toto Wolff on the other hand said would make the races highly unpredictable.

Wolff said,” It is an absolutely positive step. The target was to make things less predictable, more variable and this is what is going to happen”.

Toto recalled the reason 15 years ago, radio communication was introduced in the sport. The reason behind the move was for the engineers and team to feel the emotions of the driver and was a way to be closer to the intensity on track.

However, over the years the teams have moulded this technology for strategic decisions and remotely controlling the actions of the driver. In turn it affected the race results, making it more predictable and monotonous. This move to reduce the communication between the driver and team engineers would result in the variability and give drivers more autonomy to take decisions on track. It would be interesting to see to what extend this regulation would help make the races fun this season.

Tags: Drivers, F1, Formula One, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Motorsport, Motorsports, Race Engineers, Radio Communication