WRC plans in-car split times ban

Teams can currently supply drivers with split times - sent to the car via a text message - during stages to help them judge gaps to their rivals.

FIA rally director Jarmo Mahonen believes this is damaging the WRC's spectacle and wants harsh punishments.

"What we'll try to achieve is that they don't control the drivers so much," he said.

"When the top drivers get big gaps they start to cruise and control the gap and this takes away the interest.

"Of course we cannot police this 100 per cent, but the consequence will be a big enough deterrent.

"If you get caught, you can be excluded from the championship. The manufacturers will not take the risk."

Citroen driver Kris Meeke argued that drivers knowing rivals' split times can actually improve the action.

"People are making a drama over the split times, but it can make the battle closer as well," he said.

"People only talk about the negative side of split times. The positive is that they spur you on a bit more, if you're that little bit behind; they can keep the battle tight.

"The negative is that you'll use them to protect a 30-second gap on Sunday, but the positive is that the gap might have been a minute without them."

Volkswagen team principal Jost Capito's concern is over the policing of the ban.

"It's the same for everybody, so OK," he said. "But, you know, you cannot stop this.

"It's impossible to police - what if somebody from our team shows a split time to Thierry Neuville? Is Neuville then out?

"It's uncontrollable and therefore we think it's stupid."