Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has called for the FIA’s ban on radio communications to be adjusted following the issues encountered by Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton during last Sunday’s European Grand Prix.
Both drivers suffered engine settings problems in Baku but Mercedes was not allowed to guide them, though the two-time Constructors’ champions could see what was wrong on their W07s.
Although Rosberg managed to fix the problem quickly, Hamilton was left frustrated at his inability to work out the solution right away. Tighter radio restrictions have been introduced this year in a bid to put more decision-making power back into the drivers’ hands.
While Wolff understands the rationale behind the fresh clampdown, he also argues there should be more leeway when it involves safety issues.
“I think we want to see drivers racing each other,” said the Mercedes boss. “Today’s cars are very complicated and obviously very sophisticated technology-wise. I think we need to look at the rules. It’s not that I’m complaining, on the opposite it’s the same for everybody, I think the Ferrari had the same issue.
“And you can do two things, you can either make the technology much less complicated, I don’t think this is the right direction. Or we maybe adjust the regulation so you are able to communicate more with the driver in case of a problem. But it is how it is.”
Wolff also swiftly moved to dismiss the idea that Hamilton could have found the cure to his woes quicker by preparing for them in advance.
“We had some conversation with the FIA in order to find out what we were allowed to say or not, and got some guidance. I don’t think that the simulator time would have helped [Lewis] in any way, it was very complicated to find the right settings. I don’t think it’s down to homework.”
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