How does F1 team radio work? All about the history of teams communicating with drivers during a race

F1 is a complex sport that requires teams and drivers to work together to extract maximum performance from the cars on a race weekend. When it comes to harmony and synergy between drivers and the teams, the radios play a key role in communication.

The team radio is one of the most essential tools for the outfits and the drivers to be aware of race situations and to communicate strategies and gaps to other drivers on track.

The drivers have a button on their steering wheel that enables the radio, allowing them to communicate with their teams through a microphone and earpiece in their helmets. Pit crew members have various buttons in the garage to communicate directly with the driver on track or amongst themselves internally.

Previously, before the implementation of team radios in F1 in the mid-80s, the teams used to communicate with their driver on track using boards. These boards would inform drivers about race situations and strategies. This method is still used from time to time if there is a radio malfunction from either end during a competitive session on a race weekend.

Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan spoke about the advantages of communicating through the pitboards and said (via The New York Times):

“It’s a very good way of actually communicating. You won’t always know that the radio has failed. It might have just gone quiet for a bit, or the driver is asking you questions, and he’s getting more and more irate because the replies aren’t reaching him.”

But radio communication remains the more effective and quicker solution and in a sport where every second counts, teams and drivers cannot lose valuable time in relaying information through pitboards.

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McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris gives his take on Hungarian GP team radio fiasco

McLaren driver Lando Norris stated that he believed that it was fair for him to give the lead back to his teammate Oscar Piastri after multiple team radios during the 202 F1 Hungarian GP.

Speaking with Sky Sports, the British driver said:

"I was obviously put in the position. They made me box first and gave me the chance to lead the race and pull away quite comfortably and do what I was doing. They also gave me the opportunity to do so. Therefore I think it was fair to give the position back.

"I don't want to come across as the guy who is not fair. Oscar has done a lot for me in the past and helped me in many races. He drove a better race than I did. He got a good start, a better start, and mine sucked. He deserved it and it was the right thing to do," he added.

The McLaren F1 team had radioed in and ordered their drivers to swap positions after Norris had undercut his teammate during the finals laps of the race in Budapest last month. Although hesitant at first, the British driver abided by the team's orders and gave up his position and the race win to Piastri.