F1's team radio clampdown 'unnecessary', says Sergio Perez

F1's fresh clampdown on radio messages to drivers for the 2016 season is "unnecessary", according to Force India's Sergio Perez.

In the latest move to ensure a stricter enforcement of Article 27.1 of the Sporting Regulations, which states "the driver must drive the car alone and unaided", the FIA has widened the restrictions on the type of radio messages teams are able to give their drivers when out on track.

For example, drivers will now longer be given information about their next pit stop outside of the lap it is taking place, while teams will also not be able to flag up the position of traffic on a qualifying lap.

But although the changes are designed to put more control back with the drivers, Perez does not believe the F1 spectacle will benefit.

"It might create a bit more [work] for the driver, but I think it puts a driver into an unnecessary position because I don't think it will change anything for the fans or the sport," he said.

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"It just puts a lot of extra load to the driver.

"I expect that everyone with their teams, or at least from our side, it's pretty normal what we have to do and how we have to react. I hope the other teams and drivers can find it a bit harder, that would be great, but it doesn't change a lot."

The Mexican believes the fact drivers will no longer know if they are running into traffic in qualifying will prove problematic.

"That can create a bit of a mess in a couple of sessions," Perez said.

"In the past when teams were able to tell you the gaps, it was sometimes a mess - can you imagine Monaco finding five or six cars in the last corner coming onto your quick lap?

"There are certain things we have to get on with and deal with them."

Although the drivers have given a largely lukewarm to the restrictions on radio communications, opinion ion has been mixed on how the changes will affect the racing. World champion Lewis Hamilton reckons "it will be tough - but hopefully it will make for more exciting races".

The first race of the 2016 F1 season, the Australian GP, is exclusively live on Sky F1. The race in Melbourne starts at 5am on Sunday March 20.  Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.