F1 rules update

It's getting hard to keep up. After the FIA's controversial decision to change the Formula 1 rules - and award the drivers' title to the man with most wins - it's now as you were, with a backlash from a number of teams and drivers forcing a backtrack from the sports governing body. Points still mean prizes.

Alonso and Hamilton were among the drivers not happy, apparently. The latter, don't forget, would have played second fiddle to arch nemesis Felipe Massa last year if the sport was using the new system, having won five races to the Brazilian's six.

The new development comes with the first race weekend just days away, and no doubt leaving everyone a little bit confused. Reading the FIA's short statement it appears that the rules will reappear in 2010, although depending on how this season goes some drivers may feel differently about them by that point.

Here's the statement: 'On 17 March, the FIA World Motor Sport Council unanimously rejected FOTA’s proposed amendment to the points system for the Formula One Drivers’ Championship. The ‘winner takes all’ proposal made by the commercial rights holder (who had been told that the teams were in favour) was then approved.

'If, for any reason, the Formula One teams do not now agree with the new system, its implementation will be deferred until 2010.'