F1 changes get green light

F1 qualifying re-think

Formula One's plans to replace two-day qualifying with an extended Saturday session have been confirmed.

The change was ratified by motorsport's governing body the FIA after a meeting of its World Motor Sport Council in Paris.

It had already been approved by the Formula One commission which comprises the 10 teams, promoters and organisers.

The FIA said the new qualifying session would be held in two parts, separated by a two-minute interval.

The first part would be similar to this year's Friday qualifying, with drivers having one timed lap each and running alone and in the order in which they finished the last race.

The first session of the year, at the Australian GP in March, will be run in 2003 championship order with any new drivers starting according to numerical order.

Third car

Any car stopping in the first session would not be allowed to take part in the second.

The first session times will determine the starting order of the second. Teams not allowed to refuel cars or change settings between the end of qualifying and the start of the race.

Friday will be given over entirely to two-hour free practice sessions, with the bottom six teams in the championship allowed to run three cars.

Yet more changes but won't it stop Schumacher's dominance From Noel, Preston Join the debate

However, the driver of the third car must not have competed in more than six world championship events in the past two seasons and must have a super-licence.

The teams may also run their third car in separate livery, allowing them a means of raising extra one-off sponsorship.

New engine rules for next season limit teams to one per car per weekend and there were fears that some might limit running on Fridays to conserve the engines.

Other changes agreed include the raising of the pit lane speed limit to 100kph.

Teams will also be allowed to use four drivers during the course of a season, not including any third driver used in Friday practice.