Formula 1 governing body the FIA has confirmed that the new top ten scoring system will be in place from the 2010 season onwards. The scheme, which will award Grand Prix winners 25 points, also includes an increased margin of five points between first and second positions.

With the latest scoring system in Formula 1 having been introduced in 2003, handing out points for seventh and eighth positions in order to allow smaller teams a chance of scoring, the latest change comes as the grid increases in size from 20 to 26 cars prior to the 2010 championship.

The scheme was suggested by the FIA Commission, a group consisting of key stakeholders from F1 teams, promoters, suppliers and sponsors. ‘Due to the expanded grid of 13 teams, and further to the recommendation of the F1 Commission, a new points system will be in place for the 2010 season,’ a statement reads following an FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting on Friday.

The 2010 points system is as follows:

[F1.GPUPDATE.NET]

Silverstone has saved the British Grand Prix for the next 17 years BRDC president Damon Hill confirmed on Monday morning. The newly signed deal has ensured that one of the most historic races on the Formula 1 calendar retains its place in the sport.

At first Bernie Ecclestone signed a contract with Donington Park to host the British Grand Prix but the track failed to meet its obligations. At Silverstone the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) rushed into negotiations with F1 boss Ecclestone and after months of talking both Silverstone and Ecclestone can reveal they saved the future of the British Grand Prix for the next 17 years.

Speaking at the press conference BRDC president Damon Hill said: “It is not easy to enter into a contract of this magnitude and you have to take on a lot of responsibility, but the BRDC wanted this relationship to continue.

“Everyone was well aware that the British GP is not just a sporting event, but it is dynamo of the industry in this country. Losing it would have been damaging and perhaps there would have been no coming back.

“The title of Silverstone as home of motor sport has come true. It is a place for all motor sport. Everyone in the BRDC loves motor sport and we are looking forward to the MotoGP as well as the British Grand Prix.”

Hill furthermore revealed the deal was never going to be an easy one: “It’s not easy to enter into an agreement of this magnitude. It’s a big commitment. But the BRDC felt we wanted this relationship to continue, and we were prepared to back the negotiating team, with the level of risk satisfactory for the deal to go ahead.”

[F1.GPUPDATE.NET]

The BMW Sauber Formula 1 team will remain in Formula 1 the FIA confirmed on Thursday evening. The team, when owned by BMW, did not enter the 2010 Formula 1 season at first but BMW came to an agreement with former owner Peter Sauber to continue the team.

BMW Sauber was awarded the 13th entry in the Formula One championship, taking the place of the departing Toyota F1 team. The Japanese car manufacturer also decided to pull the plug at the end of the 2009 season.

[F1.GPUPDATE.NET]

Formula 1 governing body the FIA has released the entry list ahead of the 2010 World Championship. The field will be the largest of recent years although a number of amendments are still likely to be made, with the addition of the Sauber team being the most likely modification.

With four new teams and the absence of Toyota, the cast of 2010 is already looking somewhat different to that of this season. McLaren retains the No.1 car, courtesy of Champion Jenson Button’s arrival, meaning 2008 victor Lewis Hamilton will race under No.2.

The Mercedes Grand Prix (formerly Brawn) team will take its desired name in the New Year, with Force India’s strong 2009 season leaving them seventh name on the list. Having taken the place of BMW, Lotus has the lowest numbered cars of the new entrants, with the Sauber team still hoping to be included within the array.

At Campos, debutant Bruno Senna has been handed the higher number of car and, as predicted, the Manor team will be competing under Virgin Racing branding.

As usual – in following tradition – there is no car 13, thus meaning Force India is the first team to see its primary driver carry an even number. Once again, the first car of each team will be identified with a luminous red t-bar on the roll hoop, with the second being yellow.

The 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship entry list is as follows:

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
1. Jenson Button
2. Lewis Hamilton

Brawn GP Formula One Team*
3. Nico Rosberg
4. TBA

Red Bull Racing
5. Sebastian Vettel
6. Mark Webber

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
7. Felipe Massa
8. Fernando Alonso

AT&T Williams
9. Rubens Barrichello
10. Nico Hülkenberg

Renault F1 Team
11. Robert Kubica
12. TBA

Force India F1 Team
14. Adrian Sutil
15. Vitantonio Liuzzi

Scuderia Toro Rosso
16. Sébastien Buemi
17. TBA

Lotus F1 Racing
18. TBA
19. TBA

Campos Meta 1
20. TBA
21. Bruno Senna

US F1 Team
22. TBA
23. TBA

Virgin Racing
24. Timo Glock
25. TBA

* This team has indicated its intention to change its team name to Mercedes Grand Prix prior to the start of the 2010 season.

- Toyota Motorsport GmbH remains formally bound by the Concorde Agreement to put forward a team for participation, though it has indicated that it will not be in a position to do so. An announcement will be made regarding this entry in due course.

[F1.GPUPDATE.NET]

The survival of the British Grand Prix would appear to be looming as Silverstone bosses have announced that the Northamptonshire venue is close to signing a deal. Circuit owners have a fortnight on Wednesday in which to confirm a contract with Formula 1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone as signed and sealed.

With Wednesday 9 December highlighted as the date by which Silverstone must be ready to either accept or decline a deal, Richard Phillips is confident. “I don’t think there are any real stumbling blocks, we’re going through the last details of the deal.” the Managing Director of Silverstone Holdings explained to BBC Radio Northampton.

“I’m pretty convinced that it will be run at Silverstone next year. There is a lot of detail to go through, so if you make a mistake, there’s a long time to repent; you can come to high level agreements quickly but the devil is in the detail – we’re very, very close.”

With the now cash-strapped Donington Park having been granted a lease of 17 years due to start next season, Silverstone is unlikely to take on this although being host of the Grand Prix for the next decade is a definite target. “We certainly would like the contract to be for more than 10 years, that’s the minimum.” Phillips confirmed.

He added that Silverstone – despite knowing that Donington had won the rights to the event – has always been planning to host the race, should the Midlands circuit’s circumstances allow it. “We always had the faith that the Grand Prix would return.” he admitted. “We’ve been planning for more than a year – we’ll finish the track works in March and start on a new pits ready for 2011.”

[F1.GPUPDATE.NET]