Former Formula 1 driver Jackie Stewart "played down suggestions the sport he has been involved with for over five decades is broken," according to AUTOWEEK. Stewart said, "Look, everyone only sees the bad. I have to say the field is too far apart -- there is too little competition. But the sport is still attractive for plenty of reasons." Today, Stewart is still involved in F1 as an ambassador for Rolex, "the luxury watch company he says he introduced" to F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone. Stewart: "I can tell you one thing. Very soon, a large, internationally renowned company will come into F1 as a global sponsor, and they wouldn't do it if they were of the opinion that the sport is on the way down" (
AUTOWEEK, 3/30).
: AUTOSPORT's Ian Parkes reported FIA F1 Race Dir Charlie Whiting "dismissed claims the new radio restrictions for 2016 pose safety risks because communication to drivers is so limited."
Going into the season, "world motorsport's governing body opted to rigorously enforce article 27.1 of the sporting regulations" that states "the driver shall drive the car alone and unaided." Whiting believes the new rules, which were tweaked on race day in Australia, "made a good debut in a race complicated by a red flag stoppage." He said,
"I feel we have hit the right balance, personally. There were a few glitches when the race was stopped." Rosberg believes F1 "has taken a step in the right direction with the ban on radio traffic." He said,
"It really gives us more responsibility in the race. ... The most important thing is the fans think it's the right direction" (
AUTOSPORT, 3/30).
