IS TOO MUCH DATA RUINING F1?

I During Friday morning practice for the Chinese Grand Prix, there was an intriguing piece of radio traffic between driver and pitwall. Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes engineer Peter Bonnington came over the airwaves.

“Suggest a slower entry into Turn 12 for a better exit.” Hamilton’s response was rather telling: “I don’t need coaching, Bono...”

Five years ago, the FIA banned radio communications from engineers advising drivers on how to maximise the tools at their disposal, enforcing the regulation that states: ‘The driver must drive the car alone and unaided.’

But after coded messages were used and on account of safety, the regulations were subsequently relaxed. However, there continues a thought that too much data – real-time monitoring of driver and car – is having a detrimental effect on the sport. Would less information bring greater control back to the driver? And could it make Formula 1 a fairer or less predictable competition?

Hamilton’s curt reply to his engineer during that practice session in Shanghai was clear. In the pursuit of perfection, computers can’t always