F1 drivers to discuss rules of engagement before Bahrain

Williams driver Nicholas Latifi believes F1 drivers will discuss the racing rules of combat ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix to ensure "what is allowed and what is not".

Last year's championship was marred by the inconsistency of stewarding decisions relating to drivers being forced off track, with the aggressor often believing they were within the regulatory boundary.

Issues up and down the grid crescendoed with the now infamous controversies of the final two races of the season in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, where racing conduct came into question on many occasions.

The FIA's F1 stewarding is now headed by two new race directors in Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas.

Asked if their employment would tighten up rules of engagement and consistency, Latifi replied: "Last year it was clear with some racing actions, amongst the drivers there was a feeling there were not the most consistent calls.

"Sometimes a driver got away with forcing another driver off the track without a penalty, other times involved a penalty.

"There has obviously been some changes now within the FIA and new race directors.

"They are going to be putting in place some new measures, talking about this new virtual assistant race control.

"So I think there is going to be a process to hopefully improve the consistency and in terms of what is and isn't allowed.

"I am sure in one of the first drivers' meetings there will be some chats amongst us all to try and get some clarification on that so we know from race one what is allowed and what is not."

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