Riders propose F1-style helmet radio be broadcast for entertainment

Maverick Vinales and Franco Morbidelli have encouraged Dorna to take its upcoming trials of a new in-helmet communication system between riders and teams further by even broadcasting certain transmissions on television coverage.

On Friday Stefan Bradl trialled a new helmet radio system ahead of it being rolled out to riders to test at Misano on Tuesday.

Though similar calls have been resisted in the past over fears it will manifest into riders being given too much information and orders during a race - a criticism levelled at F1 where it is widely used - it is being revisited as a way of improving communication from Race Direction over red and yellow flags.

It comes after riders complained some slowed and some didn’t when red flags were deployed during the two Austrian races because it didn’t come up on all dashboards.

From a safety perspective, the trial is broadly welcomed by Yamaha riders Vinales, Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo

“It doesn’t disturb me [talking in helmet], it’s good because it is hard to see the yellow flag,” said Vinales. “Even the red flag, it is difficult because for some reason it didn’t appear on the dashboard and if you’re full focus it is always difficult. It is an important test to improve the safety, if it doesn’t disturb the rider.

While Quartararo is sceptical about having someone talking to him ‘mid-corner’ potentially, he is aware of the benefits it brings from a safety perspective.

“One thing I think it is important, when the team is sending on information on the dashboard, it is in the next sector, at least 20secs later - so for me I’d like clearer messages on the dashboard, for instance #1 in the middle of the track. 

“With the radio we will see. For sure, Dorna need to work on sending clearer messages, not about someone following you but if there is a real danger.”

“Talking during the race for me is not so great, but for safety - like a red flag - use the moment. It will be great to see on Tuesday. I am curious because it is something really new. I have never had someone talking to me in the helmet when I am riding.

F1-style rider-to-team messages to be broadcast?

However, both Vinales and Morbidelli said the measures should go one step further and open up the dialogue to TV viewers as well for entertainment value.

Morbidelli says the communications in F1 are one of his favourite parts of watching the series, so as long as the messages don’t disturb him he is open to them being broadcast too.

“I think it is a step towards the future and it is good to put safety first, then we will see if we are able to give more messages or make the riders talk. 

“I don’t know if it is a good idea, but one of the things I enjoy in Formula 1 is to hear the riders talk with their teams, so I may be thinking too much in the future but it might be a nice thing to hear the riders talk during their runs if it doesn’t disturb and is not too dangerous.”

Though the proposal doesn’t appear to be part of Dorna’s plans to introduce the system, it will likely view Morbidelli and Vinales’ opinions with interest.

“For me it would be interesting if you can hear what the rider is saying because for me I am when I am riding I am saying many things inside the helmet. If someone overtakes me it would nice if they put it on TV!”