The FIA, the governing body of the Formula One World Championship, has announced plans to axe the use of third cars during Friday practice in 2007.

Currently teams that finish outside the top four in the constructors' championship are allowed to run a third car.

Changes will also be made to qualifying and could come into affect for the French Grand Prix next weekend, with five minutes being taken off the final session, in which the remaining ten drivers' battle it out for pole.

There were other slight changes as well to the 2006 regulations, including the proposal to ensure "all three periods of qualifying finish in the same way - i.e. drivers having started a lap started by the time the session ends will be allowed to complete it".

Furthermore under the revisions to the 2006 rules drivers would not be able to take time penalties under the safety car, unless they are already in the pits before the SC is deployed.

A statement issued by the FIA on Friday read: "Following a meeting of the Formula One Commission in Paris on 6 July a number of changes were proposed to the 2006 and 2007 Formula One Sporting Regulations. The proposed changes have been put to a fax vote of the World Motor Sport Council. If agreed, changes which affect the 2006 regulations will come into force at the French Grand Prix."