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Breaking news

FIA should rethink 'nightmare' radio clampdown - Wolff

Toto Wolff thinks Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix proved F1 needs to rethink its new clampdown on radio communications.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG F1 Shareholder and Executive Director in the FIA Press Conference
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 with Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG F1 Shareholder and Executive Director
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 W05 watches the race from the pit lane
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 W05
Mercedes AMG F1 W05 steering wheel
Ferrari team radio detail
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB10 makes a pit stop
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing in the FIA Press Conference

Ultimately, a last-minute compromise meant only driver 'coaching' was banned in Singapore and for the rest of the season.

But the governing FIA is still planning to outlaw all 'performance'-related messages from the start of 2015, including any radio call that helps the driver to manage the technical systems aboard his car.

Mercedes chief Wolff, however, said former championship leader Nico Rosberg's electronic and steering wheel problems in Singapore proves that F1 needs to think again about the planned 2015 clampdown.

Coded messages

A post-race controversy involving McLaren accusing Red Bull of coding illegal messages to Daniel Ricciardo in Singapore has emerged, but Wolff said Mercedes was also nearly caught out on Sunday.

"We had several moments where we discussed whether what we were saying was still within what is allowed," said the Austrian, "so I think there are some messages that will require more calibration."

A matter of safety

But he says it is the 2015 clampdown that is really worrying him.

"If it (the clampdown) had been enforced as originally suggested, it would have been a nightmare," said Wolff.

"Can you imagine not being able to give any messages to the drivers in our situation (with Rosberg)?

"How do you want to communicate with the driver whose steering wheel is not showing him anything anymore? It's also a matter of safety," Wolff insisted.

"Maybe the Singapore race, with all of its ingredients, needs to flow into any future decisions on radio messages.

"I think Charlie (Whiting) and the FIA have realised that this needs another look and I'm sure that good will come out of it at the end," he added.

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