There is provided a method of controlling a spark ignited internal combustion engine having a fuel injector 53 which injects fuel directly into its combustion chamber 17. The method comprises injecting fuel so as to complete the fuel injection by an early compression stroke during a cylinder cycle when a speed of the engine is a first speed. The method further comprises injecting a first stage fuel so as to complete the first stage fuel injection by an early compression stroke during a cylinder cycle and injecting a second stage fuel in a late compression stroke during the cylinder cycle when an engine speed is a second speed that is less than the first speed. An amount of the second stage fuel is greater than an amount of said first stage fuel. Accordingly, any of the first and second stage fuels may not be pre-ignited before the spark ignition.