Formula One is gearing up for more qualifying changes

The latest idea, backed by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, is for 'knockout' qualifying divided into three stages.

Five cars would be eliminated after each of two 15-minute sessions, with the remaining 10 having a 20-minute stint to form the top half of the grid.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart said: "The drivers have an important input as they are the ones risking their lives."

He continued: "They prepared an agenda and the issues discussed were qualifying, driver safety and we also briefly discussed testing."

The qualifying changes are due to go to the FIA's Motorsport World Council on Monday, 24 October and will come into force for the 2006 season if voted through.

Other suggestions for change are rumoured to include, scrapping third cars and t-cars and having pit-stops during the race with just 12 crew members working on the car and only one tyre changer.

Meanwhile, team boss Frank Williams said there was also some support for a return to tyre changes at pit-stops.

At present tyres must last for both Saturday qualifying and the race.

But Williams said: "We are in the entertainment business and most teams enjoy doing that, but (FIA president Max) Mosley's problem is that it will make the cars faster.

"But that said, next year we'll have a lot less horsepower so maybe it's not such an issue."

Formula One engines are being reduced from three litre V10s to 2.4 litre V8s in 2006.