Symonds fears third car issues

The issue of third cars is a complicated one, with both Williams and Renault estimating that it would cost teams more than £6 million to race a third car.

Understandably, although the Concorde Agreement guarantees that 20 cars will be on the grid, teams are reluctant to incur that kind of expense if, as is currently the case, neither the car nor the driver would be eligible for points. The rule exists to prevent the sport being totally dominated by the major teams.

Symonds said: "It's a complex issue but, clearly, I think the spectators are more interested in the drivers' championship than the constructors'. If a driver appears in a third car and starts to score strong finishes, but does not appear in the championship classification, then that is not very satisfactory.

"One suggestion is that drivers in third cars are eligible to score points, but that the car itself does not."

Third cars was just one of a number of issues being debated in a couple of lengthy team principals' meetings in Sao Paulo.