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FIA submits rule change proposals

VALENCIA, Spain - Proposed Formula One rule changes including the introduction of a new points system will be submitted to the World Motorsport Council within 48 hours, the FIA announced on Tuesday.

The re-designed scoring system has been approved by the Formula One Commission, which is made up of teams, sponsors and the FIA, “to encourage the race to win,” the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement.

Under the new system, 25 points would be awarded to each race winner, 18 to the driver finishing second, 15 to the third, 12 to the fourth, 10 to the fifth, eight to the sixth, six to the seventh, four to the eighth, two to the ninth and one to the 10^th.

The Formula One Commission also recommended that the first 10 drivers on the grid should begin the race with the same tyres they used in the final, Q3 qualifying session, “in order to introduce a further element of strategy”.

The permitted maximum height of the main diffuser, the aerodynamic extension at the car’s rear that increases downforce, would be reduced from 175mm to 125mm and measures would be taken to exclude ‘double’ diffusers.

Last year’s F1 championship began in controversial circumstances when several teams protested that the diffusers used by Brawn GP, for whom Jenson Button went on to win the drivers’ title, were illegal.

The 2010 F1 season starts in Bahrain on March 14.

“Following a highly constructive and positive meeting of the Formula One Commission yesterday, agreement was reached by all the sport’s stakeholders on a number of amendments to the sporting and technical regulations,” the FIA said in their statement.

“The proposals will be submitted to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for final approval within the next 48 hours.”

The World Motorsport Council is the highest decision-making body of the FIA.