Lewis Hamilton's Formula One title defence remained alive on Wednesday after his McLaren team was handed a suspended three-race ban for lying to race stewards. The governing International Automobile Federation said after a hearing in Paris that the contrite way in which McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh had apologised for the team's behaviour was taken into account.
The Formula One season will stretch to 19 races next year with Abu Dhabi making its debut as the final Grand Prix in mid-November, the sport's governing body said on Wednesday. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) published the draft calendar, which starts in Australia on March 29 and has one more race than in 2008.
Formula One's governing body will decide on Friday whether to change next year's scoring system so that the top 10 drivers can take points, with race winners collecting 25. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement on Thursday the proposal, made by the Formula One commission, would be put to its World Motor Sport Council for final approval.
McLaren were stripped all of their points in the 2007 Formula One constructors championship and fined $100 million in the spying case.
Formula One approved a new scoring system on Friday with points extended to the top 10 drivers in a record-equalling 19-race 2010 season that will start and finish in the Middle East.
McLaren accepted an unprecedented $100 million fine and loss of all their 2007 constructors' points.
The Formula One calendar will be trimmed to 17 Grands Prix next year with Germany and Italy each losing one of their two races.
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday asserted that the troubled Indian Grand Prix has run out of time for a 2015 return and its organisers must settle the contractual obligations for a possible comeback in 2016.
Formula One's August shutdown will be brought forward and extended to a mandatory 21 successive days in March and April as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the governing body FIA said on Wednesday. The 2020 race calendar has already been suspended, with last weekend's Australian season opener in Melbourne cancelled and the next three races at least postponed. The sport hopes to race again at the end of May.
Formula One is changing its scoring system to award a point to the driver who sets the fastest race lap, starting from this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Formula One is set to bring back refuelling in 2017 as part of a rules revamp that will also make the cars faster, louder and more aggressive looking.
Mahindra Racing will enter the new Formula E electric racing series next year with ex-Formula One racer Karun Chandhok set to drive for what will be the only Indian team on the grid.
Formula One has put almost half its staff on furlough until the end of May due to the novel coronavirus with chairman Chase Carey and senior management also taking a pay cut, an F1 spokesman said on Tuesday. Sources said those on furlough were mainly employees whose work was focused on race weekend activities and who could not carry out duties remotely. The Liberty Media-owned company employs in excess of 500 people.
The Serb set up the breakaway PTPA on the eve of the US Open in September and resigned as head of the player council but last month he confirmed that he had been nominated by his fellow professionals for the current elections which he accepted.
Formula One approved changes to its power unit penalty system with immediate effect on Friday and also tweaked super-licence rules for 2016 to give more drivers a chance to enter the sport from other series.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Wednesday.
2016 F1 calendar to feature record 21-race campaign
Races in New Jersey, Mexico and South Korea were dropped from Formula One's official 2014 calendar on Wednesday, with the season remaining at 19 races instead of a record 22.
The proposed return of refuelling to Formula One in 2017 will only happen if it is affordable, according to Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff.
Formula One will revert to its 2015 qualifying format at next week's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai and for the remainder of the season, the governing FIA said in a statement on Thursday after backing down in the face of opposition from teams.
F1, Silverstone still optimistic despite UK quarantine rules
Earlier in the day, Russia was banned from defending its Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup titles but its players will still be allowed to compete at the Grand Slams and in regular tour events.
Formula One's 2016 tyre rules, giving more choice on the selection of compounds and strategy, have left even some drivers confused.
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