Shower Thought: Linking teammates via radio

[veffy]

I guess in this particular shower session I was mulling over the changes Liberty had made in a direction of attempting to modernise formula one in a way that improves the racing AND the show (hopefully without too much compromise) and overall I think they've done a reasonable job so far.

One idea that popped into my meagre brain was to enable teammates to communicate directly with each other mid race via radio. On my first pass over it felt like something that could add a new skill dynamic to the racing AND provide a lot of entertainment value.

I've listed the three potential benefits below:

1. It could add a completely new dynamic to the racing. Drivers could attempt to coordinate attacks/defence and strategy on the track in a much more nuanced fashion. There are a few notable races I can remember teammates 'working together' and it's always been really exciting viewing for me at least. One particular instance was the two Force India drivers (Hulk and Perez at the time) carving their way through the field together in Bahrain (I think) in 2014.I remember other drivers being warned by their engineer as that duo came up behind them because of how intimidating the two of them attacking together was.

2. It adds a new skill requirement. It could potentially create an environment where drivers who were able to communicate and work together could gain an advantage. In this point I see evenly matched teammates who have strong off track relationships doing well, people like Dan and Max could do well like this (if they don't destroy each other in the process).

3. It would create a lot of entertaining content and viewing, whether that be very positive teamwork, well natured rivalry and banter or extremely negative fallout.

Anyway, that's my thought, and now that I have thrust it out into the world I no longer have the burden of keeping it. Perhaps I'll review it in tonight's shower from the opposite side and look for potential problems and risks.

Thanks guys!

[KingVoid]

Abu Dhabi 2016 would have been hilarious if this was a thing.

[Exediron]

Imagine Ocon and Perez at some points last year!

[Fiki]

One problem might be the sound quality from car to car. Another knowing when not to talk to your team-mate, if the two can't see each other.

I think your plan might throw up a few things that might interest viewers, but on the whole I can't see it working well in a sport where one's team-mate is precisely the one one needs to beat. So, putting both of them on the same frequency could turn the radio into a weapon, rather than an asset.

Considering I think team-to-car radio should be banned as soon as possible, I think only the drivers talking to each other might be better than having the whole race decided in the pits.

[Black_Flag_11]

This would be incredible

[Lt. Drebin]

Since team mates are rarely fine with each other these days, one can try to distract the other in manifold ways, telling a joke, whistling, singing, suggesting how bad he is, or other ways.

[veffy]

Since team mates are rarely fine with each other these days, one can try to distract the other in manifold ways, telling a joke, whistling, singing, suggesting how bad he is, or other ways.

I suppose if it was implemented it would need some pretty heavily regulation to prevent abuse. On the point of regulations though - I wonder if there is anything in the rules currently to prevent a team implementing this? If a team could actually get their drivers to follow a policy of working together unless they're directly competing it might actually give a team an advantage.

[dompclarke]

Since team mates are rarely fine with each other these days, one can try to distract the other in manifold ways, telling a joke, whistling, singing, suggesting how bad he is, or other ways.

Closing in on a slower teammate "I'm going to get you, don't brake too late, I'll remember that for next lap etc etc"

[ALESI]

Driver adopts Darth Vader voice - "I have you now!"

But that aside the whole premise of thinking about F1 in the shower is disturbing.

[Asphalt_World]

Driver adopts Darth Vader voice - "I have you now!"

But that aside the whole premise of thinking about F1 in the shower is disturbing.

Come on, I think most men have had thoughts about their 'Pole Position' whilst in the shower.

[Blinky McSquinty]

Nope nope nope.

I want any driver to succeed only on that driver's merit. I have always been opposed to team orders. Additionally, if such a method was practiced, then the WDC becomes completely worthless.

But imagine this scenario. Hamilton starts the race in second, but his teammate Bottas had to start in the back because of a power unity penalty. The Ferrari drivers gang up on Hamilton, as well as the Red Bull gang having a go at him too. Basically he gets mugged, finishes 3rd, and loses out on the WDC by one point.

And if we are going to take this even further, why not have driver-to-driver communications between major teams and their subordinates, such as Ricciardo being able to order a Toro Rosso to get out of the way, but block Hamilton on Ricciardo's tail?

I have a better idea. Why not have a service (paying of course) where a fan can listen to the driver to pit communications unfiltered for the entire race?

[Black_Flag_11]

Lap 37: Daniel Ricciardo hums the jaws theme to Verstappen as he closes in on the straight.

[funkymonkey]

I propose also give driver ability to send fart sounds to their team mates. So when someone yaps in their ears and you want none of it, you can push a button to play fart sounds. Every fart sound conversation automatically gets broadcasted on air.
Will be some entertainment at places like Monaco.

[Jezza13]

Driver adopts Darth Vader voice - "I have you now!"

But that aside the whole premise of thinking about F1 in the shower is disturbing.

Come on, I think most men have had thoughts about their 'Pole Position' whilst in the shower.

Whats the old saying about teenager and washing hair and middle age and washing feet?

[JN23]

This idea might have made today's race more interesting