Grand Prix Formula 1 stories

The Formula One Commission, comprised of the sport’s major stakeholders, has agreed a number of proposals for last-minute revisions to the 2010 regulations. Among them are further changes to the points system and to the tyre rules. The proposals will be put to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for approval later this week.

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The points system has already been altered for 2010 so that the top ten, rather than the top eight finishers score at each Grand Prix. This is due to the expansion of the grid to 13 teams. Now the allocation of points is set to be changed to encourage drivers to race to win, according to the following scale.

1st: 25 points (previously 25)
2nd: 18 points (previously 20)
3rd: 15 points (previously 15)
4th: 12 points (previously 10)
5th: 10 points (previously 8)
6th: 8 points (previously 6)
7th: 6 points (previously 5)
8th: 4 points (previously 3)
9th: 2 points (previously 2)
10th: 1 point (previously 1)

The most interesting proposed change to the tyre rules is that drivers participating in the Q3 qualifying session must start the race on the same set of tyres with which they set their grid time. This will introduce the strategy dilemma of whether to qualify on a softer tyre which is quicker, but which may not serve the driver so well on a full fuel load at the start of the race.

In addition, to encourage teams to run more during Friday practice, the Commission has proposed that one set of tyres has to be returned before the start of the second practice session, and two sets before the start of the third session.

Further measures for 2010 are also being examined, as well as ways to introduce new environmental technologies to the world championship. Looking ahead to 2011, the Commission agreed that the use of double diffusers should be halted.