'Rules too complicated for the fans', say team bosses

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The necessity to revamp and simplify Formula 1's sporting rules appears to now be on the agenda of the sport's teams.

Incidents and decisions related to radio message restrictions, yellow flags or track limits have been at the forefront of many discussions among team managers, drivers and officials, with much of it often 'lost in translation' for race fans confused by the current sporting rules.

Teams now appear to unanimously seek change, with preliminary discussions on the topic scheduled to take place at this Thursday's Strategy Group meeting in Hockenheim.

"I think we need a common sense rule," said Red Bull's Christian Horner last Sunday in Hungary.

"But probably in Formula 1 that doesn't exist so… It’s like the radio situation today with Jenson Button. I haven’t seen what was said or reported but I think we’re over regulating and making it too complicated for the fans.

"You need to keep it simple so that a casual viewer can tune in and pick up what’s going on without over-regulating."

Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene echoed his Red Bull counterpart's sentiment.

"If you have a grey area you never know where you are going, and you start to go left and right, said the Italian.

"My president [Sergio Marchionne] raised that topic one year ago, and he said clearly we have too many complications. Clear, simple rules can help the sport."

Toto Wolff, who believes the rules surrounding radio communication are confusing, is in the same camp as his rivals with Mercedes recently calling for "discussions with the relevant F1 stakeholders on the subject of the perceived over-regulation of the sport."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.