Maranello, 12 September – During the break between the Italian and Singapore Grands Prix, the FIA announced that instructions the teams give to drivers by radio must be significantly reduced. In fact, the FIA has simply decided to apply a more restrictive interpretation of rule 20.1 of the Sporting Regulations which stipulates that a driver must drive the car “alone and unaided”.

Certain radio communications, as from the Singapore GP, will henceforth be considered as “external assistance”. From what the FIA has indicated, although no precise guidelines exist yet, all information relating to fuel consumption and messages regarding settings and adjustments that could improve car performance will be banned. Currently, drivers make two or three adjustments per lap based on information given to them by the engineers who monitor the situation via telemetry.

In the same vein, engineers will not be able to give information to the drivers about in which corners or sectors they can improve, nor will they be able to give information to the drivers regarding the state of their tyres or what they should do during the formation lap. However, the driver will still be able to have access to some of this information via the LCD display on the steering wheel (although in fact three teams do not have this system) while the FIA will listen in on and record all conversations, being vigilant in checking for any coded messages. A zero-tolerance approach will be applied, with the possibility of a five-second penalty.
Among the communications still allowed by the FIA is the message to come in for a pit stop, team orders relating to switching positions between team-mates, warnings relating to any potential hazards on track and information relating to traffic. The Scuderia Ferrari personnel are evaluating the effect of this technical directive relating to radio communications and are analysing the possible scenarios that could occur on track.
There are still some uncertainties remaining especially regarding safety matters. Information about brake and tyre wear are among those currently banned but messages on these topics could prevent dangerous incidents.
How to proceed? While awaiting further clarification from the FIA, we will only find out on track what effect these new regulations will have on the races…

MONTEZEMOLO BACKS THE SCUDERIA

Maranello, 11 September – Pride and determination were the key notes in a speech from Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo, as he addressed the staff of the Gestione Sportiva in a further show of support. The venue was symbolic, as it was the building site of the new Gestione Sportiva, a structure designed to reflect the concept of integration and constant evolution, a philosophy that stems from the president of the Maranello marque himself.

Montezemolo, who was joined by Team Principal Marco Matticacci, Ferrari Vice President Piero Ferrari and the company’s Managing Director Amedeo Felisa, spoke to the staff for around half an hour, occasionally interrupted by rounds of applause. He recalled all the battles fought out on track and the emotions shared with the team and the driver who was the main player in the team’s winning era in the first decade of this century, Michael Schumacher. After a brief look back at his long tenure as the boss of the company, the President turned his thoughts to the future. He repeated the need for everyone to give their utmost to take the Scuderia back to the top. “We have understood our mistakes and in the company we have everything needed to reach our goal, in terms of personnel, infrastructure and resources. We need to work more closely together, because that’s what is required with the new regulations. We must lay our problems out in a line and tackle them one at a time and, we must work like a real team and have the courage to dare. This is the only way we can embark on another winning cycle.”

The end of the speech was met with a long burst of heartfelt applause, showing what the staff felt for the President. Before taking his leave, Montezemolo shook every single one of them by the hand, as they stood in line to wish him farewell personally.”

FERRARI FANS LIKE THE 18 INCH WHEELS

Maranello, 9 July – On the second day of the Silverstone test, Pirelli ran out an experimental 18 inch tyre which in the next years could replace the 13 inch one currently used in Formula 1. The diameter of these tyres is 30 millimetres bigger and it has the same width as the current ones. Ferrari therefore asked its fans through Twitter with the hashtag #FerrariFanSurvey which tyre they preferred, posting photos of each. In the few hours the survey ran, over 3000 fans voted and their opinion was pretty clear: 70% preferred the 18 inch wheels and tyres.