FIA announce rule changes

In-season testing has been banned for the last three years, with teams limited to running before the season and at the young drivers' test at the end of the campaign.

But it has now been confirmed that a three-day stint of testing will be permitted during the 2012 campaign, an event which will take place in the middle of the year.

The FIA have also ruled that all cars taking part in pre-season testing must have passed mandatory crash tests.

There is another tweak to the safety car regulations, with lapped cars now able to unlap themselves and join up with the back of the field to prevent backmarkers being caught up with front-runners during restarts.

The FIA have also looked to remove ambiguity over the 'one move' regulation, ruling that drivers will not be allowed to return to the racing line once they have left it to defend their position.

Drivers will also not be able to leave the track without "a justifiable reason", meaning that saving fuel by taking short cuts on reconnaissance and in laps is now prohibited.

A four-hour time limit has been put in place for all races, regardless of the circumstances. This year's Canadian Grand Prix lasted for almost four hours and five minutes including delays.