A neck problem thwarted Schumacher's return for Ferrari

Formula 1's ban on in-season testing has been amended following controversy over Michael Schumacher's abortive return for Ferrari last year.

The seven-time world champion, who retired in 2006, was unable to drive Ferrari's 2009 car because of the ban.

Ferrari asked permission for Schumacher to test but three rival teams objected.

But a rule change, announced on Friday, will allow one day of testing at a non-F1 circuit if the substitute driver has not raced in F1 for two seasons.

A neck problem prevented Schumacher from returning to his old team to stand in for the injured Felipe Massa.

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The German has subsequently returned to the sport with the new Mercedes team and will drive alongside Nico Rosberg this season at the age of 41.

Motorsport's world governing body the FIA said the one day of testing "will be permitted between the start of the week preceding the second event and the last event of the championship".

The FIA's world motor sport council has also ratified F1's new 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 points system for the first 10 drivers to finish a grand prix.

It also removed the requirement for starting weights of cars to be published from F1's rules.

With refuelling during races banned this year, starting weights would have given an indication as to which cars were the most fuel efficient.

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