Hackers' threat to Formula 1 cars

Formula 1 drivers could come under attack from malicious hackers while at the wheel following a decision to allow teams to make changes to cars remotely during a race.

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has voted to let teams use bi-directional telemetry technology, which has been banned since 1993.

The technology allows trackside technicians to tweak the car electronically and send remote commands via a microwave link to the car, reports French F1 magazine Sport Auto Moto.

The driver then chooses to acknowledge the changes, which can affect traction control and fuel consumption, by pressing a button on his steering wheel.

However, some team chiefs are concerned that malicious hackers could sabotage cars while they are racing at speeds of over 200mph.

Williams team chief operations engineer Sam Michael told Sport Auto Moto: "If your system isn't coded properly, you could potentially have a situation where it receives false messages.

"If that happens, the biggest danger you face is a change on the engine side - detonating the engine."