Michael Schumacher has been appointed as the drivers’ representative on the FIA’s Circuits Commission. The Circuits Commissions reports to the World Motor Sports Council on – you guessed it – matters to do with circuit design, particularly safety.

The FIA will try to fill the vacant place on the grid left by US F1 next year. Following a meeting of the World Motor Sports Council in Bahrain today the FIA also said it will appoint a reserve entry for the 2011 season, in case the new team or one of the existing teams is not able to compete. Among the unsuccessful applicants in the two rounds of tenders held last year were Prodrive, Lola, Epsilon Euskadi, N.Technology and Stefan Grand Prix.

FIA president Jean Todt with Michael Schumacher It’s still early days for the Jean Todt presidency – but we’ve seen a few telling developments at the FIA in the last few weeks. We’re monitoring Todt’s progress to see whether F1 fans think he is doing a good job

F1 teams will have to use smaller diffusers in 2011 The F1 Commission has agreed on a second new points system for F1, amending the proposal they made in December. A win will still be worth 25 points and the value of a second place finish has been slightly reduced – but the value of other lower-placed finished has been increased.

Top qualifiers face a tyre choice handicap in 2010 It comes as no surprise to learn there are yet more changes to the F1 rules planned for this year. Not only is a second change to the points system planned – the second in two months – but now some drivers may also be forced to start the race on the tyres they qualified on.

Speed TV has confirmed a new deal to broadcast F1 live in America – including the first deal to show official Formula 1 video online in the USA. A statement from the channel said: Speed will continue to offer its long-running live coverage of the FIA Formula One World Championship, including live coverage of qualifying and practice sessions. As has been the case in recent years, four yet-to-be-named races will be shown live on Fox.

The festive season is upon us and whether you’re buying a gift for an F1 fan or hoping to unwrap some F1 goodies we’ve got a stack of present ideas for you. Using your F1 gift ideas as a starting point I’ve compiled 75 top presents for F1 fans from videos to books and models to games. Read on for the full list.

A member of Jean Todt’s team allegedly offered €2,280 for a vote A supporter of Jean Todt has been accused of trying to buy a vote for the FIA president candidate. Surinder Thatthi, one of Todt’s seven nominees for sport vice president, is alleged to have offered to arrange payment for the FIA subscription fee for the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in Uganda, but only if the club agreed to vote for Todt. An article in today’s Mail on Sunday claims: Thatthi told [president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in Uganda Jack Wavamunno] a sponsor had been found to pay the €2,820 outstanding from the FMU’s subscription to the FIA.

The wraps come off his all-new FG Falcon this morning and Frosty is already working on what he needs to improve from runner-up to champion in this year’s series. "Every year is a different challenge. Every year you have to do the best you can," Winterbottom says