FIA to limit F1 driver aids and coaching from Belgian Grand Prix

Formula 1

FIA to limit F1 driver aids and coaching from Belgian Grand Prix

Autosport8:07am 3 July 2015

Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
Sunday 10 May 2015.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG, arrives on the grid.
World Copyright: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic.
ref: Digital Image _J5R4246

The FIA will implement stricter limitations on driver aids and coaching in Formula 1 from next month’s Belgian Grand Prix, motorsport’s governing body has announced.

Driver assistance in F1 came under the spotlight last year when restrictions were put in place regarding the amount of information teams could communicate to drivers via radio.

Further changes were planned for a later date, but these were scrapped by the FIA on the eve of the 2015 campaign.

However, a statement from the FIA at Silverstone on Thursday said “increased restrictions on driver aids and coaching received unanimous support” at this week’s F1 Strategy Group meeting at Biggin Hill.

The FIA added the changes will have “a particular emphasis on race starts”.

“These measures will bring back the driver in full control of the car, enhancing races’ excitement and unpredictability,” said the governing body’s statement.

Reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton recently dismissed suggestions that drivers get too much help in the car, saying it would not affect the way he drives if communication was reduced.