( CNN ) -- Formula One 's governing body has outlawed a technological development which would help teams improve the stability and aerodynamics of a car . The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile ( FIA ) took the decision to ban reactive ride-height systems for the 2012 season , with teams such as Ferrari , Mercedes , Williams and Lotus thought to be developing their own versions of the innovation . F1 's official website reported on Monday that the FIA informed the 12 teams of its decision to ban the technology -- which helps stop the car dipping closer to the track under the pressure of braking -- last week . Lotus ' system first came to light at November 's young driver test event , with the FIA initially approving the technology as it did not involve the direct input of the driver . `` We have been investigating that type of system for a while , '' Williams ' chief operations engineer Mark Gillan told the Flying Lap webcast . `` It obviously has an impact on the aero platform of the car . Anything that gets the front ride height lower is beneficial from an aerodynamic perspective . '' Elsewhere , 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen drove an F1 car for the first time since 2009 at a private test event in Valencia , Spain on Monday . The Finn had his first taste of driving for the rebranded Lotus team , formerly Renault , in their 2010 car . Raikkonen won the drivers ' championship with Ferrari five years ago , having also raced for the British marque McLaren and Switzerland-based Sauber . The 32-year-old raced in the World Rally Championship and NASCAR during his time away from F1 . Raikkonen will take to the grid for the first time since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2009 when the 2012 season begins in Australia on March 18 .
FIA bans technology which improves aerodynamics of Formula One cars . Reactive ride-height systems help cars stay low to the track when braking . They also reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency, but they are banned in F1 because it is considered a safety hazard. The 2007 world champion tests the team 's 2010 car at private event in Valencia .