Driver Worries Over Ban on Traction Control

The British formula one drivers David Coulthard and Jenson Button have warned motor racing's governing body of potential dangers of the new rule banning electronic traction control systems from the start of the 2008 season.

The decision to ban such systems, which prevent unwanted wheel spin in conditions of low tire grip, was reached with the unanimous agreement of all the teams competing in the world championship. Many fans believe it will put more emphasis on driver skill at a time when technological expertise seems to have become a more important factor in achieving grand prix success.

However, Coulthard, Button and several other experienced contenders have opened a dialog with the FIA to make public their concerns that racing in wet weather without traction control will pose an unnecessary and unwanted level of risk. Coulthard told Auto sport magazine: "Fernando Alonso aquaplaned off the road [in last year's Japanese grand prix] in Fuji - even with traction control. The electronics still couldn't support him - and that will happen a lot more without traction control because formula one engines are very peaky."

The Honda team driver Button added: "The only worry I have about driving without traction control is racing in wet conditions. It's going to be very dangerous."

But Max Mosley, the FIA president, claimed that the safety of wet-weather races will not be hit by the absence of traction control. "Imagine, in the most extreme circumstances, holding the British grand prix at Silverstone on packed snow," he said. "Nobody would get hurt because nobody would ever get up to enough speed to do any damage."