Formula 1 drivers are to be banned from using boost mode to help with overtakes in the wet as part of new safety measures introduced by the FIA.

Following concerns expressed by drivers about potential risks in driving the current cars in rainy conditions - because of the aggressive torque characteristics of the electrical elements - a series of tweaks have been made to the regulations from this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.

Some of these measures had been publicly announced beforehand, including the increase of tyre blanket temperatures for intermediate tyres and limits placed on the maximum amount of battery deployment through specific energy curves.

But with the final regulations having now been approved by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, some more impactful revisions have now emerged.

One will be a blanket ban on use of the boost button – which delivers up to an extra 350kW of power – in the wet.

A new technical regulation states that in low grip conditions use of boost mode: “will be inhibited and is not allowed.”

The lack of boost means that there will not be the kind of power offset between cars that is aimed at helping overtaking in the dry, with deployment of electrical energy only then coming through pre-programmed engine maps.

Beyond the change to boost mode, the FIA has tightened up the rules surrounding the use of straightline mode in the wet.

A revised regulation states: “In Low Grip Conditions, only partial activation of the Driver Adjustable Bodywork in the associated Low Grip Activation Zones is allowed.”

Miami forecast

The changes to the rules to help in wet weather comes ahead of the Miami Grand Prix where there is a major threat of rain.

Current forecasts for race day point to a 75% chance of the action being hit by a downpour on Sunday.

The weather situation in Miami is more critical than at some other venues because of strict local and national protocols that require action to be suspended if lightning strikes.

Advisory information from the National Weather Service regarding sporting events under such extreme weather conditions states: “If thunderstorms are forecast, organisers should consider cancelling or postponing the activity or event.”

The guidance states that there are certain circumstances under which events should be stopped.

They are if lighting can be seen, if thunder can be heard or even if the skies look threatening.

Last year, with a similar threat of thunderstorms looming for race day, the FIA told teams that if lighting arrived during the race it would be red flagged.

In the end the weather cleared up, and such a drastic course of action was not needed.