The FIA has confirmed new rules which will see Formula 1 drivers only receive sanctions for causing collisions when it is clear who is at fault this season.

The world motorsport governing body has chosen to pass new regulations to make the penalty procedure clear after several controversial incidents last year.

Under the previous guidelines drivers faced time penalties, grid drops and licence points for contact with rivals during battles for position in races where it was difficult to judge who was to blame.

The move is designed to encourage drivers to make overtaking moves and take more risks without fear of potential penalties for light contact.

Discussed by the F1 Commission and the World Motor Sport Council last week, the decision to investigate potential incidents will be down to the discretion of the stewards.

A revised Article 38.2 a) says: “It shall be at the discretion of the stewards to decide if any driver involved in an Incident should be penalised.

“Unless it is clear to the stewards that a driver was wholly or predominantly to blame for an incident no penalty will be imposed.”

The changes come while F1 undergoes  management restructure which will see former team owner Ross Brawn become the new managing director of motorsports.

Speaking in a interview with the BBC, Brawn believes rules must be made simpler in the future.

“I think we know what fans want: they want entertainment, they want close racing, they want to be able to understand what’s going on,” Brawn told BBC 5 Live.

“And I think everyone agrees on that. It’s finding the path with all the other teams and all the other people involved to achieve that.

“I think simplicity is a key objective for the future.

“I’ve watched F1 for the last few years as a spectator, and there are times where even I haven’t been sure what’s been going on in the race.”

The new penalty rule will come into force for the first time at the season opening Australian Grand Prix from March 24-26.