FIA Moves to Ban F1 Radio Driving Instructions from Singapore GP
From the Singapore Grand Prix onwards, Formula One teams will be barred from giving drivers radio instructions on how to drive, following a new FIA clampdown.
Formula One teams will be barred from giving drivers radio instructions about driving technique or car handling from the Singapore Grand Prix, after the FIA issued a clampdown on communications that could be construed as driver coaching.
The governing body acted after criticism that radio messages were increasingly being used to guide drivers through races, with advice on lines, braking points and car settings broadcast live to fans and television audiences. The new restriction will take effect immediately, meaning teams must adapt their communication protocols for the next race weekend in Singapore.
What the FIA is banning
The ban targets any radio message that instructs a driver how to drive the car, including advice on which lines to take, braking points, or which dials and buttons to operate on the steering wheel. The FIA will enforce this by clarifying Article 20.1 of the sporting regulations, which requires that "the driver must drive the car alone and unaided". Messages about pit stops, safety, or mechanical problems are not affected by this change.
- No advice on driving lines or braking points
- No instructions about which steering wheel settings to use
- No coaching on car handling or tyre management
Recent examples include Mercedes telling Nico Rosberg to request driving instructions from his engineer during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and Ferrari’s Andrea Stella advising Fernando Alonso to take a different line at turn 10. Such messages will now be prohibited.
Why the FIA made the change
The FIA’s decision follows complaints from fans and commentators that Formula One had become too reliant on remote coaching, undermining the notion that drivers should compete on their own skill and judgement. The governing body believes the new interpretation will restore a more authentic challenge and improve the spectacle for viewers.
Implications for teams and drivers
Teams will need to review pre-race preparations and ensure drivers understand all car systems and potential scenarios, as real-time coaching will no longer be permitted. Engineers must now find ways to communicate within the new restrictions, while drivers will shoulder greater responsibility for managing car settings and adapting to changing conditions unaided.
The FIA is expected to monitor team radio closely in Singapore and beyond. Any breach of the clarified Article 20.1 could result in penalties, though the governing body has not detailed the exact sanctions for non-compliance.
This move is the latest in a series of regulatory tweaks aimed at maintaining Formula One’s emphasis on driver skill. For more on how drivers and teams have responded to previous radio clampdowns, see Grosjean Unconvinced Spa Radio Clampdown Will Shake Up F1.
