Formula One ban on team orders is lifted

The controversial ban on team orders has been deleted from the Formula One rule book for next season, the FIA said yesterday.

The rule, which forbids teams telling a driver to cede to his teammate, came under scrutiny after Ferrari were fined for using team orders this season. The FIA also approved the adoption of movable rear wings to aid overtaking and the return of the Kers power-boost systems for next season. A new "green" engine was confirmed for 2013.

Also yesterday, the struggling Hispania team denied reports that their owners had put them up for sale. "We are working for 2011," a spokeswoman said after a Spanish newspaper reported that businessman Jose Ramon Carabante and his associates had decided to sell.

HRT were one of three new teams on the starting grid this year, but they failed to score a point, and used four drivers over the 19 races.