Qualifying point on agenda for 2009

A series of discussions have taken place in China this weekend in the working groups of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) to consider how the sport could be made better.

And although these discussions are only the first stage in the lengthy process of trying to create new rules, there already appears to be some consensus about which ideas will be taken forward to FOTA's executive committee.

The proposals will need approval from the committee, which is comprised of team principals, before they are then put forward to the FIA for final sign-off.

It is understood that one of the most radical ideas that has met with support at the working group stage is for a world championship point to be awarded to the quickest driver in Q2.

Several other major championships, including GP2, give points for pole positions but the idea has never been adopted by F1 up until now. The only time the F1 world championship has offered points beyond race finishes was from 1950 to 1959 when a single point was offered for fastest lap.

Sources have also revealed that there has been support for a move to three-race engines, which will help brings the costs down for car manufacturers as well as making drivetrain deals cheaper for independent teams.

Teams are also close to agreeing on a further reduction in testing - down from the current 30,000 kilometre limit to 20,000 kilometres. Teams will be allowed four separate days for inexperienced drivers.

During the season teams will only be allowed to bring one car to each test, although in pre-season testing teams will still be allowed to run two cars.

Moves are also being made to improve the show for both television spectators and those at the track. Drivers could be required to attend special autograph sessions that take place in the pit lane on Fridays, while a special television 'sin bin' may be set up where drivers and team members will be required to attend following their exclusion from qualifying or their retirement from the race.

Further talks in the working groups are also scheduled to take place on whether or not fuel loads on cars are released to the general public, either on the Fridays of events or post-qualifying - to help make the sport easier to understand.

Discussions are also to continue on the idea of reducing the length of races down to 250 kilometres, or a maximum time of 90 minutes.

Although the current focus is on making changes for next year, teams have agreed that it would be better for them to conduct proper market research to better understand what the public wants and what will help make the sport more popular in the longer term.

The teams have decided against introducing a ban on refuelling.