New rules approved ahead of 2010 season

New rules for the 2010 Formula One season have been approved.

As a result, championship points will be allocated on a 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 basis, ensuring greater reward for the winning driver.

Updated with more than 50 pics: see 2010's F1 cars in action in Valencia - including Schumacher's return

In addition, all drivers who make the top 10 in qualifying will have to start the race on the tyres they used to set their fastest time.

Teams will also have less tyres to use on a race weekend - 11 sets instead of 14 - and running during practice will be encouraged by forcing teams to return a set of tyres before second practice begins, and a further two sets before third practice.

Teams have also approved changes to the technical regulations for 2011 that will, in effect, ban double diffusers.

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