The FIA has cancelled plans for a new F1 points system, with the start of the '09 season just days away.
The changes would have meant that the driver with the most wins was champion, instead of the usual system of awarding the championship to the driver with the highest number of points.
But the proposal was met with widespread criticism from both drivers and teams, and the Formula One Teams' Association claimed it was illegal.
The FIA said that in light of the teams’ rejection of the system just before this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, it will postpone the move until 2010.
The FIA said in a statement: "On 17 March, the FIA World Motor Sport Council unanimously rejected FOTA's proposed amendment to the points system for the Formula One Drivers’ Championship.
"The 'winner takes all' proposal made by the commercial rights holder (who had been told that the teams were in favour) was then approved.
"If, for any reason, the Formula One teams do not now agree with the new system, its implementation will be deferred until 2010."
Had the new system been in place last year, F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton would have finished second behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa.
The FIA argued that the proposed changes would encourage drivers to go for the race win.
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