The Communication Ban

As Hamilton was sliding rearward in the field with an incorrect race mode, he begged his engineers to help him decipher the problem and find a solution. With the FIA’s strong stance on allowable pit-to-driver communications, Hamilton’s race engineers were helpless to suggest a fix. After the race, it would be revealed that both Mercedes had incorrect pre-set race modes. Rosberg had asked his crew directly if the mode warning lights were correct. They had affirmed that and Rosberg then reset the mode; Hamilton had already made a change that didn’t lead him to understand how to remedy the problem from inside the cockpit.

This ban on the ability to resolve tech issues with car faults is out of sync given the evolution of these complex these power units. There are certain situations that a driver cannot prepare for before a race because of these units’ multiple tiers of programs. Given the strict rules on engine reliability there is a real argument that “problem resolution” is an integral part of maintaining the lifespan of the PU.

Remember, this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hour allowed constant driver-to-pit communication – they could even tell a driver how to fix his machine to continue running. The FIA already understands the complexity of these engines, they just need to also agree that while the driver must drive the car unassisted, he is not an engineer. Saving the cost of a destroyed engine with a tip from a race engineer sounds like something a too-expensive sport needs to embrace.

Now, its on to Austria.