New radio rules will help us perform better - Steiner

Haas F1 Team's Guenther Steiner was delighted with Formula 1's decision to free up radio communication before the summer break at the German GP, as he believes the change will ultimately help Haas with its performance.

With instructions on what can be said now clear, Steiner says the change is helpful as it permits better race management for a driver in several areas.

"It’s nice to know that you can’t get fined now for something you didn’t have intentions of doing," Steiner said

"Before it wasn’t clear on what was right or wrong to say, so it was difficult to obey the rule. Now we can say what we need to say.

"If somebody goes back now and listens to the instructions that were given to the drivers, they realize it wasn’t something said to make them go faster but rather solving the problem at hand.

"It allows us to get a read from the drivers now on the tires and other information that becomes useful to help us perform better.

Steiner has always been in the camp of those who believed that full radio communication was not a deterrent for good racing.

"I don’t think it makes racing any less interesting by telling them something. For me, I don’t think there is a gain or loss, but it makes it easier for the team since now the information can be more clear."

Given Spa's traditional high chances of poor weather and safety car deployment, there may indeed be a high level of chatter between pit walls and rivers next weekend in the Ardennes.

"The safety car is always included in the plans in advance. The strategy depends on what lap the safety car comes out on, which tyre we are on, and if we should come in or stay out.

"One of the most important things before the race starts is to know the safety car window, when it opens and when it closes. It changes during the race because you get better data on the tyre degradation and also from the positions the other competitors are in at that time."

In any case, Haas will head to Spa prepared for anything the weather or circumstances may throw its way.

"You can prepare for the race by getting the team’s times down for when you need to change the tires.

"Otherwise, I think the driver’s experience comes into play here – what to do and when to do it. It all comes down to the driver and what they want to do next."

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