League Notes: F1 CEO Ecclestone May Monetize Radio Communications

Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone is "reportedly planning to monetise access to radio communications in F1." At the recent strategy group meeting, "the controversial restrictions on radio communications were dropped completely," with the FIA confirming that this was done "at the request of the teams and commercial rights holder." The FIA said that this is to provide "improved content for fans and spectators." Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that Ecclestone plans to "sell" this full access to all the communications between cars and the pitwall to the public (SPORTS MOLE, 8/4).

COLOR RUSH: The Renault Formula 1 team "could be set to change colours" for '17. The currently yellow cars could reportedly "turn predominantly deep blue" in '17. There are rumors Renault "is in talks with Movistar, a major Spanish mobile operator, and BBVA, a Spanish banking multinational." Both companies' corporate images "are mainly blue" (WHEELS 24, 8/4).