Threat of penalty points for Formula One drivers

Max Mosley, the president of Formula One'sgoverning body, the FIA, wants to radically overhaul the sport'spenalty system before next season. Mosley believes drivers who commit offences on the track should be punished with a points system similar to that used on British roads. Drivers who clock up too many points would be suspended for a race.

Mosley has reacted to complaints over the current system where stewards punish drivers during the race by calling them into the pits to serve time penalties. The Colombian, Juan Pablo Montoya, saw his title hopes end at the United States Grand Prix last year when he was punished for crashing into Rubens Barrichello even though it was later shown the Brazilian was struggling with gearbox problems.

Meanwhile, China's Tung Ho-Pin became the first driver from his country to test a Formula One car on Thursday. The 21-year-old completed 42 laps in a Williams-BMW at the Jerez circuit in Spain in what is seen as a significant development, with Shanghai hosting the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix on 26 September next year.

Tung earned his test by winning last season's Formula BMW Asia series. The Chinese market is seen as potentially lucrative for sponsorship.