The International Automobile Federation (FIA) is set to issue a technical directive to restrict the use of engine modes in qualifying, which is likely to start from the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Racer.com reported. 

The change would require teams to use the same engine modes in qualifying as in the race, where power is typically turned up to the maximum only in short bursts to preserve engine lifespan and reliability, according to Reuters.

F1 is confident in new engine mode rule

Teams were informed last week by letter that the FIA wants to have the engine mode restriction in use for both qualifying and the race.

FIA issued a warning that says "any measure or system invented to intentionally alter the electrical measurements is considered a serious breach of the regulations," reported by Insideracing.com.

F1 race director Michael Masi is confident that the planned clampdown on the use of multiple engine modes can be successfully policed by governing body the FIA.

"I think we're very confident of that, otherwise we wouldn't have gone down the road that we have," he said.

"I know that the technical team in particular has done a huge amount of work on this, and has also consulted with the four power unit manufacturers to get their input into this.

"We're as confident as we possibly can be at the moment, otherwise we wouldn't be going down that road."

Hamilton and Wolff have split views on the engine mode restriction

However, six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has said the move is aimed at slowing his Mercedes team.

"It's obviously to slow us down but I don't think it's going to get the result that they want," Hamilton said last week.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had a different view with the top racer.

The Austrian told reporters after the Spanish Grand Prix that a ban on qualifying might ultimately work to Mercedes' advantage in the race.

"We struggled in some of the races where we were quite limited in powerful engine modes, and if F1 were to ban in-season, certain power unit modes, then I think it will actually help us in the race," said Wolff.

"If you can avoid damaging your power unit in those few qualifying laps that you have available, in Q3 and then the odd lap in the race, the damage matrix goes down dramatically.

"So five laps of qualifying mode not being done gives us 25 laps of more performance in the race... and even if it may hurt us more in qualifying, which I'm not sure, then it will hurt all the others in the same way.

"But we are always very marginal on what we can extract from the power unit, and if we were to be limited in qualifying modes, then, well, we will be stronger in the race," Wolff added.

"I think for the drivers, it's probably a little bit easier, because they can recover between the races."