World champion Michael Schumacher and other powers in Formula One have declared themselves happy with the amended rule changes for the 2003 season.

The FIA, motorsport's governing body, modified its proposed ban on costly electronic devices on Tuesday.

In an attempt to reduce costs and boost the sport's popularity, FIA boss Max Mosley had announced a ban on many of the drivers' aids starting from the opening race on 9 March.

I can live with the changes very well Michael Schumacher

But motorsports chiefs have now settled for a ban beginning with the British Grand Prix, the 11th of the 16 races in the championship.

"In my view, the solutions that were worked out together are very reasonable. I can live with them very well," said Ferrari's Schumacher.

"I'm glad the discussions are over and we all know where we stand."

The revised rule changes come after a one-sided 2002 season in which Ferrari triumphed in 15 of 17 races, with Schumacher winning 11 for his fifth world drivers' title.

Under the new rules, traction control and automatic gearboxes will be banned from 20 July.

Launch control, which gets the car up to speed at the start of the race, is also likely to be illegal from that date.

I think the races will be more interesting again because the drivers will have more influence BMW boss Gerhard Berger

Meanwhile, the season will begin without pit-to-car telemetry (a means by which engineers can change the settings of the car while it is out on the track), with car-to-pit telemetry going out in 2004.

But pit-to-car radios will be allowed in 2003.

And spare cars, which were to be banned under the FIA's original plan, were allowed back in.

BMW technical director Mario Theissen said delaying some of the changes until Silverstone provided the teams with sufficient time to adjust.

"The new agreements are okay with us, we're working on them already," Theissen said.

BMW boss Gerhard Berger also agreed, saying: "Now everybody has enough time to prepare for the new situation.

"I think the races will be more interesting again because the drivers will have more influence."