Marko Hanželic
Radio connection between the racer and the engineers in the pits is regularly criticized part way of working in Formula 1. Modern racers are considered to "Remote controlled robots", whose fate is determined by those who sit in the pits. Potential ban such a mode of communication is therefore always an appropriate basis for discussion. Team boss McLaren, Andreas Seidl, however, he is of the opinion that the abolition of radio communication would not bring no benefits.
“Disconnect the radio connection between the pits and the racers”, Yippee Helmut Marko asked in an interview for Spiegel before GP of Belgium. The Austrian expert criticizes the fact that about the race itself the driver no longer decides, but what happens on it from the background is determined by the people on the team.
“In Formula 1, autonomous driving is much closer than Google or car factories. Everything is determined by the engineers: when the tires need to be replaced, how much power the engine can produce without overheating and the like… ”, criticizes company consultant Red Bull for motorsport.
McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl, disagrees with the ban on radio communication. “One of the reasons I love Formula 1 is the complexity of the sport. The cars we use are the fastest in the world, but they are also very technologically advanced. ”
Seidl can understand the desire for greater driver independence: "Clearly, real heroes in the sport are needed, which these drivers who drive such fast race cars certainly are." At the same time, he has it up his sleeve counter-argument.
"Formula 1 is also a team sport that requires collaboration between garage and box engineers and drivers." Seidl remembers the last lap of the Austrian race when Lando Norris received instructions by team radio. These scenes were later sharply criticized by many.
All Nemec This type of communication is advocated by: “To be honest, I found the whole thing pretty fascinating. For me, this is only part of Formula 1. ” It also is Seidl does not agree with the statements that the driver he can no longer drive on his own race.
“Also in this area, it is especially important how the racer reacts. Top racers are able to process radio messages faster and therefore do not lose speed and do not make mistakes. ” Seidl he was also convinced of this in endurance races, where he worked before his engagement in F1: “I saw a lot of drivers who were very fast, but as soon as the extra load came on them, which is inevitable with these complex cars, they became significantly slower. Fast processing of messages and proper handling of their nature is an important feature of the best racers. ”
