JULY 14, 2015

Grosjean doubts Spa clampdown will improve show

Romain Grosjean is not sure the forthcoming 'driver aids' clampdown from August's Belgian grand prix will be a game changer.

Romain Grosjean is not sure the forthcoming 'driver aids' clampdown from August's Belgian grand prix will be a game changer.

Although the big changes to an image-struggling F1 will come in 2016 and especially 2017, one tweak will arrive ahead of the race at fabled Spa-Francorchamps next month.

Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the FIA has now sent the details to the teams, including a new limit on what the drivers can be told on the formation lap about clutch settings for the race start.

The report said the "objective is that the drivers will be solely responsible for the start procedures".

But Lotus driver Grosjean said he doubts the changes for Belgium and beyond will make a big difference.

"There are certain procedures that must be adhered to for the start, and in principle they are not changing," he is quoted by Speed Week.

He acknowledged the new rules but doubts they will "turn the grid upside down when the lights go out".

"The same applies to restrictions on the radio," the Frenchman continued, "as we will get used to it very quickly. I don't know really how it is intended to improve the show."

(GMM)