Formula One’s Technical Working Group (TWG) is looking at the possibility of reducing the workload inside of the cockpit, as the number of buttons on the steering wheel has become a safety concern in the paddock.
This year will see two further additions to the wheel, with the re-introduction of KERS and the new adjustable rear-wing, or drag-reduction system.
This, according to Williams Technical Director Sam Michael, has become a concern amongst the drivers.
“The drivers are very loaded in the cockpit,” he told Manipe F1. “I would agree with that. There is a lot of stuff that they’re doing and it’s something we are looking at in the TWG at the moment.
Whilst the TWG might be looking to make changes, any adjustment to the regulations requires the majority agreement of all 12 teams on the grid.
Michael believes it will be next season until any changes are made.
“There are a lot of things that you can do to unload the driver, but it needs agreement of a majority of the teams. I don’t think we’ll do much for this year, but it’s on our list to investigate for 2012.
“It’s something the GPDA has asked [the] TWG to have a look at, and it’s something that Charlie [Whiting] is taking seriously and we’re looking at in the meetings at the moment,” he added.
“There’s lots of things that drivers do that they potentially don’t need to do.”
