F1 points system changes aimed to promote 'race-to-win' attitude

The Formula One Commission has agreed a further revision to the points system ahead of the new season they hope will encourage a 'race-to-win' attitude.

Two months ago the F1 Commission, comprising key stakeholders from teams, promoters, suppliers and sponsors, and chaired by president Bernie Ecclestone, initially opted for a 25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1 format.

However, it was soon realised the disparity of points between the top three was no greater in percentage terms than the 10-8-6 system that had previously been used for many years.

Under the new proposal, due to be submitted to the FIA's World Motor Sport Council for final approval within the next 48 hours, the format will now be 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.

Further initiatives decided by the F1 Commission and due for ratification by the WMSC include a reduction in the number of sets of tyres to be used during a grand prix weekend from 14 to 11.

In order to introduce a further element of strategy, cars running in the final 10-minute qualifying session must start the race on the same set of tyres with which their grid time was set.

With re-fuelling banned from this year, and the emphasis switching to tyre use, drivers with an aggressive qualifying strategy will likely be compromised early in a race, forcing them into additional stops.

One further proposal, to be introduced from 2011, is that double diffusers, that caused so much controversy at the start of last season, are to be banned.