New points, grid system for ETCC

From next season the championship will adopt the same points scoring system as Formula 1. The new system will award points to the first six drivers and manufacturers classified in each of the championship's 20 rounds on a 10-6-4-3-2-1 basis.

Last year's complicated points system came under fire as it was weighted too much towards reliability rather than race wins.

The reverse grid system for the second race will be also modified. In 2001, the entire grid for the second race at each round was reversed from the finishing order of race one. This was open to abuse, however, as certain teams instructed their cars to make tactical pit stops to ensure a higher starting spot for the second race.

Only the first six drivers classified in race one will be placed on the grid for race two in reverse order, while the others will maintain the same order in which they finished.

The FIA's World Council has also approved the new technical and sporting regulations that will govern the 2002 series, confirming that both Super 2000 and Super Production cars will be eligible to compete.