Aerodynamic changes planned for 2001

One of the plans is for smaller and higher-mounted front wings to be introduced, along with a total ban on rear aerodynamic under-car diffusers.

In place of diffusers, a return to wing-profiled sidepods - originally banned in 1983 - will be introduced.

The plan is to make cars more controllable and reduce their aerodynamic sensitivity in an attempt to encourage closer racing and more overtaking.

Other changes under consideration by the F1 technical working group, is the extension of sidepods by moving them forward to rear of the front wheels.

It was also proposed that changes are made to offer greater protection to drivers' legs, by requiring a larger, squarer cross-sectional front end to the chassis.

However, the rules are not yet definitely in place, as a final decision was not agreed amongst the competing teams prior to the end of 1999.

Agreement could have been reached at the December F1 Commission meeting with an 80-percent majority, but once changes are debated within a year of their implementation, a unanimous decision is required.

An insider at one F1 team said, 'What really concerned some of us was the scatter-gun agenda which seemed to reflect a huge and sudden appetite for change.

'As a result, the meeting really broke up in disorder without anything being firmly agreed.'