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F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone Takes Credit For Crackdown On Radio Traffic

F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone "has indicated that the dramatic crackdown on radio traffic, used extensively this season as a mobile driving aid, is just the beginning, with further measures making it more difficult for drivers yet to be implemented," according to Daniel Johnson of the London TELEGRAPH. Ecclestone, 83, "took credit for the clampdown and suggested that restrictions on the use of live telemetry, which shows drivers where rivals are quicker throughout a particular lap." Ecclestone said, "I was the one who started it off, yes. I think none of the drivers want it [radio]. They are all happy that it has gone." Asked if greater restrictions could be on the horizon, he added, "Yes. We have a regulation in force that drivers must drive the car unaided. They have been aided -- and still are" (TELEGRAPH, 9/18). REUTERS' John O'Brien wrote Ferrari's Fernando Alonso said that "the new regulation would have little effect to how races unfolded." Alson said, "No big difference to be honest. At Ferrari, we never use the radio for any performance reasons, just to control temperatures or talk about traffic. In our case, it won't have a big impact." Ferrari team mate Kimi Räikkönen "was less enthusiastic about the sudden rule change but felt the drivers would be able to adapt as they had no choice." Räikkönen: "It does make it a little more complicated for us if there are problems with the car but it's part of the game, so we have to deal with it" (REUTERS, 9/18).

DRIVERS NOT CONCERNED: The BBC's Andrew Benson wrote asked if F1 had become too easy for the drivers, Ecclestone said, "It's not easy, but it's easier than it was." Williams's Felipe Massa "rejected Ecclestone's claim that all the drivers backed the change." Massa said, "Maybe he spoke to the drivers from the '80s, who do not know what it is like to drive these cars. I'm completely against it. It's something they could have done professionally." Force India's Sergio Perez said, "It's not great they have made such a big change from one race to another. But I don't see it as a big deal. We will have more info and will be a bit busier trying to keep things under control, fuel modes and engine modes." Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel said that the ban could make managing the cars' complex systems "rather interesting." Vettel: "The main concern is not fuel consumption -- it's fairly easy to put that information up (on the dashboard) but in terms of managing certain components on the car it can be quite difficult for us. ... That's why we have so many people in the garage. They're not here to have a nice time and have a couple of beers. They're here to do a job" (BBC, 9/18).

MORE CARS ON THE GRID: In London, Paul Weaver wrote Ecclestone has talked with team principals about speculation that F1's future "will be built around just eight teams running three cars each." Ecclestone fueled the speculation, saying "a decision regarding a 24-car grid was likely to be made by the middle of next month." Ecclestone: "We’ll know after the next two or three races. It’s always been on the cards that if we lose up to three teams then the other teams will run three cars (GUARDIAN, 9/18).

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