FIA contemplating scrapping the F1 drivers briefing

A Friday night drivers briefing could be on its way out, as the FIA is contemplating a Thursday night drivers and team managers get together instead of the decade-long tradition.

Currently, on Thursdays, only the team managers meet to discuss track changes and issues from the previous race.

The drivers are brought into the fold only on Friday, so that they can contribute to the meeting with their feedback about first-hand experience of the track and the conditions.

Reports suggest that the FIA could actually bring an end to the drivers briefing from 2019 itself.

Charlie Whiting, the F1 race director has confirmed that the suggestion is out there but it would take affect only if all drivers and teams agree to it.

“It’s a suggestion only at the moment. It certainly won’t happen this year, unless everyone wants it to happen.

The main reason that I have suggested this is simply that we discuss things in the team managers’ meeting on the basis that they will pass them onto their drivers, and when we get to the drivers’ meeting, it’s quite evident that sometimes this hasn’t happened, and we have to go through it all again.

“One of the main reasons for having the drivers’ briefing on Friday, after the first day of running, was so that they could tell us what they have seen, like a marshal doing something on the track. But it really isn’t of any value, because whenever they see anything, they tell us anyway.

“There’s a far better communication system now. I just think it would make a lot of sense and save everyone a lot of hassle, really.” Whiting said.

How would this benefit or affect the sport?