Geneva - The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) revealed its plans Thursday to ensure all F1 teams make it through the global economic crisis safely and can participate in the sport until the end of the 2012 season.

Among the proposals presented at a press conference in Geneva is a new points-scoring system whereby the points for a race win would rise from 10 to 12, with nine points for second and seven for third.

Positions four to eight would continue to score in the current 5- 4-3-2-1 manner.

"The crisis offers a great opportunity for Formula One to develop," said FOTA head and Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemelo.

"This is an unprecedented moment in Formula One history. Above all else, for the first time the teams are unified and steadfast - with a clear, collective vision."

FOTA set out a package of unanimously agreed proposals which would see costs cut in half by 2010 compared to the previous season. The proposals need to be approved by motorsport's ruling body FIA and will take effect in 2009 and/or 2010.

"Thanks to this unity, all the teams have already managed to make a significant reduction to their costs for 2009.

And, while we will continue to compete vigorously on track, we all share one common goal: to work together to improve Formula One by ensuring its stability, sustainability, substance and show for the benefit of our most important stakeholder, namely the consumer," said Montezemelo.

It is hoped that this season there will be more than a 100 per- cent increase in mileage per engine as just eight engines are allowed per driver.

Engine costs are expected to drop from 8 million euros (10 million dollars) in 2009 to 5 million in 2010.

FOTA also hopes to have the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS), which are currently under development, standardised by next year with a target price of 1-2 million euros per team per season.

Wind tunnel testing has already been reduced to 40 hours a week for 2009 but the teams are targeting cutting spending on aerodynamic development by half again in
2010.

In the future, FOTA also recommends a new qualifying format and further testing reductions and reduction of grand prix duration pending the approval of the commercial rights holder.

"We're now devoting a great deal of time, resources and radical thought to making a concerted effort to enhance the benefits of all Formula One stakeholders - the teams, the manufacturers, the sponsors, the media and above all the fans," McLaren-Mercedes team principal Martin Whitmarsh. (dpa)