Fans will have access to more information in 2009

The numerous F1 viewers will have access to more data this season, after the company representing the broadcasters accepted the proposals made by the teams to enhance the spectacle.

The FOTA (Formula One Teams Association) announced at the beginning of March that it wanted the company holding the F1 rights, the FOM (Formula One Management), to make use of additional graphics and more information than what is currently offered.

This includes charts on fuel strategies, explanations on car trajectories, pit stop forecasts, and full access to team radios.

Bernie Ecclestone confirmed on Tuesday that the FOM had accepted the proposal and seized this opportunity for the upcoming season. « We were a bit embarrassed with our graphics because although we had the information beforehand, we couldn’t use it. Just like the entirely free-to-listen radios, it is interesting for viewers, but the teams had told us we couldn’t use it. »

« It’s completely absurd. We offer entertainment and those teams tended to forget it. I think they’re waking up now. »

Martin Whitmarsh, director of the McLaren team, who leads the sporting side within FOTA, believes that the fans will be the big winners by gaining access to this new information, particularly total access to radio transmissions.

« How many teams in past years have spent enormous amounts of money on radio encryption systems to prevent this? It’s a good, very good initiative », he stated at the recent FOTA summit in Geneva.

I believe that the possibility for fans to participate, buy, understand, and appreciate the sport will be greater.

He adds: « I think that anyone working on the commercial development of this sport is incredibly surprised by the full cooperation of the teams and the way we are developing things. »