Ecclestone echoes ‘leave them alone, they know what they are doing’

Sport360 staff 17:32 18/09/2014
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  • Radio ban is a good idea: Bernie Ecclestone thinks all the drivers are happy now radio assistance has gone.

    Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone admitted that he is keen to see further restrictions on 'ship to shore' driver aid communications following this week's ban on radio assistance.

    The sport's commercial boss, who initiated the restrictions, said he would welcome reductions in the use of live telemetry in a bid to make drivers work harder without any help.

    From this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, teams are not allowed to give guidance to drivers by using their radio devices or through pit boards.

    "I was the one who started it off, yes," said Ecclestone, ahead of a meeting in the Singapore paddock to explain to drivers how the new restrictions will work in Sunday's race.

    "I think none of the drivers want it (radio). They are all happy that it has gone.

    "They drive the cars. They should know what is wrong or right. They don't need someone on the pit wall telling them what to do."

    Ecclestone's comments echoed the words of Finn Kimi Raikkonen broadcast all over the world two years ago when he told his Lotus engineers 'leave me alone, I know what I am doing' during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

    Asked if he wanted to see more restricted team influence on drivers, including a possible ban on live telemetry from the cars, Ecclestone said: "Yes."

    "We have a regulation in force that drivers must drive the car unaided," he said. "They have been aided – and still are."

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