Todt plays down need for radio clampdown rethink

Jean Todt has played down the need for F1 to revisit the controversial ban on certain pit-to-driver radio communications. The issue has arisen after Sunday's Baku race, during which Lewis Hamilton in particular struggled for power due to an engine mode setting he was unable to resolve.

Kimi Raikkonen had a similar problem in Azerbaijan but Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene did not join his Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff in calling for a rethink. "We have some crazy situations now and I know many people like that when they watch on TV," the Italian told Bild newspaper. "I am not complaining about the rules."

1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, however, told Brazil's Globo that the radio clampdown has been "bad for F1". But at an FIA conference in Turin, the governing body's president Jean Todt insists the radio clampdown will remain in place in full.

"It was requested in an unanimous way to reduce the assistance given to the driver," said the Frenchman. "So if we talk about the show, I feel that this year it has been really good. We have always believed that so-called driver aids should not be allowed," Todt continued.

Todt said that, in general, he is happy with the spectacle of F1 in 2016, mainly because Mercedes is no longer all alone at the front of the field. "There is a close battle for the championship and I'm glad it involves drivers from smaller teams as well," he is quoted by Italy's Corriere dello Sport, apparently referring to Sergio Perez. "Of course, I would always be happy to see Ferrari in first position," he added, "but the important thing is that the outcome is not predicted from the beginning of the race." (GMM)

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
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5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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  • Team Ferrari
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  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
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