Rule changes approved

Rule changes: The FIA

Also see

• Circuit guides
• Driver profiles
• Live coverage
• Bet now

The FIA has published the definitive sporting regulations for the 2010 Formula One season, with the proposed new points system among changes to get the green light.

The system, which sees the top 10 finishers awarded points in the order 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1, had already been agreed but received approval from the governing body's World Motor Sport Council on Thursday.

Another change from last season is that, with refuelling banned this season, the FIA will not publish the starting weights of cars ahead of grands prix.

Last season, it was possible to use the published weights to gain an insight into a chosen strategy and try and work out when cars would make their opening fuel stops.

Prior to the reversal of the decision, it had been hoped the weights could be used to work out which engines were the most fuel efficient.

Limits

The ban on fuel stops places a greater emphasis on quick tyre stops this year but the FIA has reacted by placing limits on what equipment can and cannot be used.

"Powered devices which assist in lifting any part of a car are forbidden in the pit lane during a race," a new rule says.

Finally, the ban on in-season testing which prevented Michael Schumacher from running ahead of his abortive Ferrari comeback last summer has been relaxed.

The rule states: "If a team declares that one of its current race drivers is to be substituted by a driver who has not participated in an F1 race in the two previous calendar years, one day of track testing will be permitted between the start of the week preceding the second event and the last event of the Championship."

However, the test must take place on a non-F1 track.

The first race of the season is in Bahrain on March 14.