Formula One will have a permanent panel of stewards at each grand prix from next year, incorporating former Formula One drivers.

The decision, taken by the World Motor Sport Council at a meeting in Monaco, will hopefully result in a greater degree of consistency with regard to decisions at each race.

Three stewards will continue to be present at every grand prix, but with the trio to be selected from a permanent group, in conjunction with experienced former F1 drivers.

It is envisaged the permanent pool of stewards will number around eight to 10, with two or three drivers in addition to those.

Discussions are currently taking place between motor sport's world governing body, the FIA, and a handful of drivers being looked at for the position at present.

The role of Alan Donnelly as chief steward and non-voting chairman has been dispensed with, and instead each group of stewards will elect their own chairman amongst themselves for each race.

The WMSC have urged the stewards to continue to utilise video and radio exchanges in order "to reach decisions very efficiently."

The Council, spearheaded by new FIA president Jean Todt, has also agreed a recommendation made by the F1 Commission to alter the points format for next year.

The winner will now claim 25 points, runner up 20, third place 15, fourth place 10, fifth place will take eight, and then sixth to 10th will earn six, five, three, two and one point respectively.

That is in contrast to the system that had been in place since 2003 whereby the top eight won points on a 10, eight, six, five, four, three, two, one basis respectively.

Other decisions taken by the WMSC include the appointment of a new F1 ambassador for each grand prix, appointed from the membership of the World Council.

The ambassador will liaise with the National Sporting Authority (ASN) and organising team at the circuit.

That person will also meet with the ASN president, FIA VIP guests, Formula One Management, F1 teams and other stakeholders and act as an ambassador of FIA sport.

Another new initiative is the appointment of commissioners at the FIA World Championships, including World Rally and World Touring Car, not just F1.

The commissioners, appointed by the WMSC on the proposal of Todt, will report directly to the former Ferrari team principal.

They will be present at each event of the world championship for which they have been appointed, and will serve as permanent liaison for the various stakeholders - ASNs, promoters, organisers, manufacturers, teams, officials and suppliers.

However, they are not empowered to take decisions or perform any other act of a regulatory nature which may come under the remit of the officials of the event.

In a bid to encourage the participation of women in motor sport, the FIA has created a Women & Motor Sport Commission, with former World Rally star Michelle Mouton elected as president.