Mosley wants penalty change

The president of motorsport governing body the FIA has told AUTOSPORT that he wants the current system replaced in time for the 2004 season. The move comes on the back of growing complaints about the way punishments are handed out for driving incidents, and the controversial manner in which Juan Pablo Montoya's title campaign was scuppered after he was penalised for a crash at Indianapolis in September.

Instead of drivers being handed drive-through penalties in the heat of the moment, Mosley wants a licence points system introduced whereby they would be given warnings which, if unheeded, could ultimately result in a race ban.

More importantly, the new system would not require decisions to be made during races where stewards do not have all the information available to make a fully informed judgement. If Mosley's plans are accepted by F1 teams, the FIA would be able to interview drivers and analyse technical data before making a considered decision.

Speaking exclusively to AUTOSPORT, Mosley said: "This system would be much more satisfactory. There is a strong body of opinion that says you should have a referee who takes decisions immediately - like in football.

"I agree with that except if you don't have to, and we don't have to, then maybe it is better not to. Your first requirement is to be fair and what we have at the moment is bound to give the occasional odd result. Even if it is not unfair, people still think it is and that is just as bad."