In a move that doesn't exactly come as a bolt out of the blue, the FIA has banned BMW's controversial new nose wings.

In a letter sent to all teams ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix, the FIA wrote: "In view of recent developments to bodywork forward of the cockpit opening on some cars, we have become concerned that these devices may impair the forward and/or lateral vision of the driver.

"Therefore, under Article 2.3 of the F1 Technical Regulations, unless any team concerned can clearly demonstrate to the satisfaction of the technical delegate and the stewards that their driver's vision is not impaired in any way by such devices, no bodywork higher than the top of the front roll structure will be permitted forward of it."

Reacting to the news a BMW spokesman told Pitpass: "We presented the vertical wings on the cars' nose to the FIA prior to the first test. The cars with the wings passed scrutineering in Magny-Cours.

"Especially in terms of aerodynamics, it is all about increasing efficiency by continuous development and continuously finding new solutions. The vertical wings obviously presented a new aero solution within the rules.

"We, however, respect the FIA's decision to ban such elements. The knowledge we gained from this will be included in our future development programmes."

Following the apparent success of the nose wings in France, and the FIA's failure to ban them, it is understood that several other teams were investigating similar devices.