The 2012 Formula One season will feature tighter restrictions on the allowed engine mapping settings used by teams, according to a new report, as the FIA seek to cover off any potential loopholes in their blown diffuser ban.
The practice of using off-throttle engine mapping to help direct exhaust gases through their blown diffusers has become standard practice in 2011.
Blown diffusers are set to be banned for 2012, with the rules mandating that teams revert to 'periscope' exhausts, which exit through the top of the rear bodywork.
But in an effort to cover off any further loopholes in the rules, the FIA will also restrict the usage of engine maps using their standard ECU, used on every car.
The new technical ruling came after a meeting of the FIA's Technical Working Group this week, and according to the Autosport website "the majority of outfits have welcomed the move".
The FIA had attempted to ban off-throttle engine maps earlier this season, with the British Grand Prix run without the mapping.
But they eventually had to abandon the plan for a mid-season ban, after concerns over the way in which the ban could overly benefit some teams over others.
Earlier this week, Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn admitted that there were still some issues with loopoles in the rules, despite the move to revert to periscope exhausts.
"I don't think it is 100 per cent sorted unfortunately," Brawn told Autosport before the TWG meeting.
"I think everyone, as they get more and more into it, are trying to close off the loopholes, but there is no guarantee that somebody will not come up with some scheme.
"It is fairly robust, but I would not say it is 100%, and I think the difficulty now is it is reaching a stage where teams will take their opportunities rather than change the regulations."
He added: "The strength and performance that comes from the exhaust, using exhaust energy, is substantial.
"And people now have a better understanding of what they can do with exhausts/engine mapping to extenuate the effect."
The original ban was affected by claiming that the use of the engine as an aerodynamic aid, improving the efficiency of the blown diffusers, broke the rules on teams using 'moveable aerodynamic parts'.
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