Brazilian Formula One racing driver Felipe Massa has slammed the new radio blackout as dangerous and warned of a driver's revolt ahead of this Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix.
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has personally pushed through a wide-sweeping rule change, which bans nearly all-technical instruction in the hope of improving the racing by making drivers work harder, and has been backed by both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.
Some say that roughly 3,000 radio messages in a race will be cut by 90 percent because drivers will not be able to call on their engineers for support, The Mirror reported.
While Ecclestone has the backing from Button and Hamilton, Massa claims it is dangerous and could lead to a repeat of the 2008 champion's disastrous engine fire in Hungary.
The Williams driver predicted an explosive confrontation on Friday between drivers at the regular pre-race meeting with FIA race director Charlie Whiting who enforces the rules.
Massa said that they have not yet talked to Whiting, but added that they will. He also said that if it stays like this, it would be a big fight on Friday in the drivers' briefing.
Massa said that it is ok not to talk about tyres but one has so many things to manage like brake temperatures, adding that if that gets too high a driver can have a fire in the car or maybe a big accident.
Massa also said that like when Hamilton's car caught fire, one could have that many times if they are not using the right settings, and added that that is not related to driving, that's related to the complicated settings.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso backed Massa, saying that he thinks this rule has no benefit, and added that some of the messages the drivers receive are for safety not just performance.
Meanwhile, Hamilton backed Ecclestone's move, saying that he is excited by it, and adding that it means there are more balls in the air they have to catch and are already catching quite a lot.
