FIA forced to clarify Formula 1 radio clampdown ambiguities

Last week, motorsport's world governing body detailed a 31-point list of permitted messages that was circulated to all the F1 teams.

But after questions over ambiguities on the list, the FIA found it necessary to issue a new version to the teams ahead of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

Among the changes are more precise details over when certain messages can and cannot be transmitted.

The following is a list of messages allowed and disallowed under article 20.1 of the sporting regulations, which states "the driver shall drive the car alone and unaided".

Messages given on the track, in the pit entry or pit exit during reconnaissance laps, with a car deemed to be on a reconnaissance lap from the time it leaves the pitlane until the time it re-enters the pitlane or reaches its grid position:

1.You may tell the driver of a critical problem with the car, e.g. puncture warning or damage.

2. You may tell the driver of a problem with a competitor's car.

3. You may tell the driver to enter the pitlane in order to fix or retire the car.

4. You may give the driver marshalling information (yellow flag, red flag, race start aborted or other similar instructions or information from race control).

5. You may inform the driver about a wet track, oil or debris in certain corners.

6.You may tell the driver to respect the maximum laptime provided it is clear that he is in danger of exceeding it.

7. You may not tell the driver to drive through the pitlane.

8. You may not tell the driver to make his way to the back of the grid.

9. You may not discuss a balance check with the driver.

10. You may not tell the driver to turn off the car.

11. You may not carry out a radio check with the driver.

The teams are allowed to talk freely when the car is in the pitlane before or between any reconnaissance laps, and for added clarity the following specific requests are permitted:

1. You may give instructions to the driver for the following lap.

2. You may remind the driver to do a practice start at the pit exit.

3. You may discuss a balance check with the driver.

4. You may tell the driver to go to the back of the grid.

5.You may carry out a simple radio check handshake with the driver (i.e. "radio check", "got you loud and clear").

6. You may tell the driver to come back through the pitlane.

7. You may inform the driver of specific pitlane safety concerns such as the pitstop area being full of guests. This message (and only this message) may also be given in the pit entry.

Teams are also allowed to talk freely on the radio and pass any messages to a driver on the grid, or in the pitlane, until one minute before the start of the formation lap.

From the one-minute signal, and until the race-start signal, the only permitted messages are to tell a driver of a critical problem with the car, e.g. puncture warning or damage, or to inform him of a problem with a competitor's car.