The controversial Winner Takes All system has been rubber stamped for 2010 by the FIA World Motorsport Council.

The system was first hinted at by Bernie Ecclestone mid-2008 and was immediately slammed by spectators and teams with both arguing that the season could be over by the mid-way point.

The change was voted against by the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) for this season after Ecclestone pushed for it, but the sporting regulations for next year already feature the new system.

Article 6 of the sporting regulations state that the drivers' title "will be awarded to the driver who has been classified first in the greatest number of races."

The news has until now slipped the attention of the World-wide media because, unlike all other changes to the rules, the amended rule was not highlighted in pink and underlined in copies of the 2010 sporting regulations.

The 2010 season threatens to have one of the biggest shake-up in regulations in the sports history with re-fuelling being banned along with the new budget-cap regulations being invoked.

In another revelation, re-fuelling will be permitted for those teams who make it into "Q3" who will be allowed to re-fuel under parc ferme conditions prior to the race.

This change ensures the spectacle of low-fuel dashes for pole position continues and means that the competition between the quicker teams remains and isn't hindered by heavy fuel loads.

Adam Poole
Photo Courtesy of FIA