Ferrari is set to bounce back from recent setbacks by becoming the first Formula One team able to communicate with its drivers without rivals listening in .

The legendary Italian outfit, which has just ended its most disappointing season in years, on Tuesday signed a deal with Selex Communications to use the Italian company's new encrypted radio system.


Like conventional systems, the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) system enables team chiefs to communicate with cars while they are zooming around circuits .

But it is so far the only one that cannot be broken into or decoded by other transmitters .

"It's a customised system that ensures secure communications between cars and the pits," said Selex CEO Maurizio Tucci .

Ferrari racing chief Jean Todt said: "Part of Ferrari's success has always been its refined race strategies, which need reliable and secure communications if they are to work." "We are sure Selex will help us gain an edge against other teams." After winning the previous six constructors' championships and the previous five drivers' titles with Michael Schumacher, Ferrari last year only won one race - boycotted by all the major teams in a tire safety dispute - and ended up third in both championships .

Selex is a subsidiary of the huge Italian aerospace and defence group Finmeccanica .