F1 team radio has been a staple of television broadcasts for decades, but a new element was introduced earlier this year when news was first played between the pit wall and race management.
The messages were very well received by the fans and have been used in every race since their debut at the Spanish Grand Prix in early May and provide an insight into how the teams interact with race management.
McLaren team boss Paul James complained last week in the second training session for the Styrian Grand Prix via radio to Masi about Valtteri Bottas’ turn in the pit lane, which he described as “absolutely ridiculous”.
The incident resulted in Bottas receiving a starting penalty of three places for dangerous driving, although Masi later confirmed that he would have been referred to the stewards even without McLaren’s complaint.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff found it “very entertaining how quickly some sports directors jump on the channel to Masi and come up with Armageddon scenarios” and added: “It is good that these channels are now being opened so that we can all laugh. ”
McLaren pit crew members try to support Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, in the pit lane
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
When asked by Autosport about Wolff’s comment and whether he thought the teams used the channel fairly, Masi revealed that radio traffic has actually decreased since they became part of the television broadcast.
“I think, to be fair, every sports team, and that is no different in Formula 1, will use the radio knowing that it is there,” said Masi.
“It’s been there for many years. Obviously it’s only now airing.
“If you know that the teams now know that it is being broadcast, it has probably reduced radio traffic in the race control.
“From the team’s point of view [it’s] You probably think twice before asking a question. “
Wolff himself was previously claimed by Haas F1 boss Gunther Steiner that he was looking for “a bit of advertising” when he used the FIA radio channel to complain about blue flags in Spain.
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