FIA proposes to scrap third cars

Following the Formula One Commission meeting this week changes have been proposed and put to a fax vote of the World Motor Sport Council. One of the proposals is to do away with teams running third cars in Friday practice sessions from 2007, a regulation that has been in place since 2004.

The top four teams in the championship are not permitted to run a third car, which has previously led to complaints of other teams gaining an unfair advantage. The proposed change to the regulations in regard to third cars reads:

"During a season each team will be permitted to use four drivers. Changes may be made at any time before the start of the qualifying practice session provided any change proposed after 16.00 on the day of scrutineering receives the consent of the stewards."

"Additional changes for reasons of force majeure will be considered separately. Any new driver may score points in the Championship."

"Reason: To eliminate the possibility for certain teams to run a third car on Fridays."

Qualifying looks likely to have a minor change, with five minutes cut from the final session to reduce it to 15 minutes, which will come into force in France if the proposals are ratified by the Council. There have been complaints that the last 20 minute session is currently boring, with drivers using much of the time to burn off fuel.

The reason given for cutting five minutes was that the "number of laps completed in this period have no relevance to grid positions". In the first two sessions drivers will be permitted to complete a flying lap once the chequered flag has been waved, which previously they couldn't.