F1 drivers to be left without cockpit warning lights for Bahrain GP
Formula 1 drivers will once again be left without cockpit warning lights for the Bahrain Grand Prix, after issues with the FIA's electronic marshalling system continued at Sakhir this weekend
For the first three races of the season, the FIA has had to switch off the telemetry aspect of its marshalling system because of concerns it was not bulletproof enough for use in an actual grand prix.
The telemetry system informs the drivers about warning flags, the use of a safety car, and also when DRS has been enabled or disabled.
The issues have come to light at the start of this season because the FIA switched to a new supplier.
Although FIA race director Charlie Whiting has said he is now happy with the marshalling lights and GPS aspects of the system, the telemetry issue remains significant enough for it to be turned off once again.
At the Chinese Grand Prix, a number of drivers were called to the stewards to explain why they had used DRS under yellow flag conditions.
In the end, the stewards elected to not hand out any penalties because of the mitigating circumstances caused by the telemetry issues, as DRS was not automatically disabled.
The FIA is working hard to ensure that the situation is improved in time for the start of the European season in Spain in three weeks' time.
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About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
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