Teams continue to seek solution to SC issue

Discussions between teams, drivers and the FIA have taken place all season about finding a way to stop the need for the pitlane to be closed during the early stages of a safety car period.

The rule was introduced to prevent drivers racing back to the pits at high speed - potentially through the scene of an accident.

Tests have taken place this season for a way to control a drivers' speed through an incident zone - and drivers were encouraged by the latest evaluation of software in Singapore last weekend.

But with Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica punished for pitting under the safety car in Singapore, teams now think it essential that a new safety car system is introduced for the start of next season.

McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh said teams had already discussed the matter in Singapore and he felt the events of the race would be a catalyst to ensure change is made.

"It will happen I am sure by the start of next year," he said. "For people to change now they have to accept they got it hopelessly wrong, and it has to change during the winter. Everyone knows it has to change and I am very confident that it will."

The latest version of the safety car software in the cars provides drivers with an audible warning if they go above a predetermined speed through the sector where an incident has taken place.

Tests of the system are likely to continue for the remainder of the season before a full implementation at the start of 2009.