Qualifying and points system changed

In the first two seasons, the grid was decided by an aggregate of a driver's best two laps from the four segments of qualifying, and the result of the sprint race then determined the grid for the longer feature race.

While the qualifying session will still be divided into four segments, the best individual lap from the first two segments will decide the grid for the sprint race, while the best individual lap from the second two segments will determine the positions for the feature race.

The change should lead to more entertaining racing, as a team that performs well in the first race of the day will no longer be guaranteed a good starting slot for the longer race.

Changes have also been made to the points and prize money that is awarded, in a bid to make the 20-minute sprint race more interesting.

While the morning race offered fewer points and no prize money in the past, the points awarded will now be the same for both races, and one third of the total prize money for the event will be awarded for the sprint race, rather than the entire fund being handed out for the feature race.

A1GP's technical and operations general manager John Wickham told autosport.com: "Hopefully these changes will improve the racing, and the extra incentives for the sprint race should encourage the teams to push a bit harder in that race as well."

The points awarded for the top 10 finishers in each race will be 15-12-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1, and a point will be awarded for the fastest lap set in each race.

Changes have also been made regarding the feature race pit stops. The 70-minute race will now have two pit stops, and the pit lane will remain open during any safety car period to avoid any confusion while the race is neutralised.