At its press conference in Geneva this morning, FOTA has called for an immediate change to the current point system.

The Formula One Teams' Association is calling on the FIA to award 12 points for a win, 9 for second and 7 for third place, with the current points for fourth to eighth remaining the same (5-4-3-2-1)

"Audiences desire greater championship recognition for race winners and our proposal is to offer greater rewards for the race winner," said Martin Whitmarsh.

The current points system was introduced at the height of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari's domination of the sport earlier in the decade. In an attempt to stop the Schumacher/Ferrari steamroller Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley changed the points system closing the points deficit between first and second place.

However, this has led to widespread belief that the two-point difference between winning and finishing second, in particular, has resulted in drivers settling for position.

Bernie Ecclestone is keen to scrap the drivers points system altogether, instead awarding medals to the first three.

Whitmarsh says that FOTA will approach the FIA in the hope that the World Motor Sport Council, which meets on March 17, can ratify the changes ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.