The governing body had stated at the end of last year that, from the upcoming season, drivers would not be allowed to move back onto the racing line after having moved off it to defend their position.

On Wednesday, the FIA issued the new sporting rules, which state that drivers will in fact be allowed to move back onto the racing line, but leaving enough room between their car and the edge of the track when approaching corners.

The ruling body insisted just one move will be allowed to defend a position from a rival.

"More than one change of direction to defend a position is not permitted. Any driver moving back towards the racing line, having earlier defended his position off-line, should leave at least one car width between his own car and the edge of the track on the approach to the corner," the new regulation states.

I just wonder how they decide what is the "racing line", especially in rain.

In my opinion another stupid rule, which will prevent the drivers from actually race. And since overtaking is a problem already (getting worse with these new rules), they introduced artificial overtaking by DRS.

Too many rules, too many restrictions will kill this sport.

Agree - I get the feeling that they are trying to appeal to the American Audience with this rule. Surely defending your position is one of the more exiting parts of the sport and this rule removes the great tussles that we have enjoyed over the years. As for the racing line, every man and his dogs knows what that is for each track with only the very rare difference of opinion between drivers so adjudicating that is not hard, but the fact they are doing this is frankly against the ethos of F1. Might as well just run the race on a large oval and be done with it.

I dislike new rules & regs too, the governing body should be made of retired racedrivers only.

I watch F1 occasionally but always think the tracks should be wider.

They mess about with MotoGP too.

At least Hamilton will have room to get around those corners at Monaco this year then.