Wolff urges Formula 1 radio ban reform

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is calling for a reform of Formula 1’s restrictive radio regulations after Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen fell foul of the clampdown in Baku.

The move to limit the communications between drivers and teams was heavily criticised after Hamilton and Raikkonen were compromised in Sunday’s race by technical issues, which required assistance from their engineers.

Engineers are unable to advise how to fix technical issues or tweak set-ups under the new regulations, which were brought in to ensure drivers receive limited help in driving the cars.

However, Wolff believes the communication restrictions have gone too far in a period where drivers are piloting some of the most sophisticated machinery the sport has produced.

“We want to see drivers racing each other and today’s cars are very complicated because they are so very sophisticated technology-wise,’ said Wolff.

“We need to look at the rules. It is not like I am complaining. It is the same for everybody.

“You can do two things. Make the technology much less complicated. I don’t think this is the right direction. Or adjust the regulations so you can communicate more with the drivers in case it is a problem.”

Wolff says a simple radio message to Hamilton during the race would have alleviated the switch issue that saw the reigning world champion suffer a lack of power.

“We had some conversation with the FIA on what we could say or not and got some guidance,” said Wolff.

“Once we had identified the problem, it could have been changed with a single radio message, but the rules prevented us from doing so, and we were only authorised by the FIA to use very specific phrasing.

“It was just one switch change but you need to find it out and if you are going 350kph in a car and you are playing around with your steering wheel, it is a complex matter.”