Motorsport | F1 approves new qualifying for 2016, faster car for 2017

Formula One may have a new qualifying system for the upcoming season, with drivers being eliminated every few minutes. Motorsport governing body FIA says yesterday the proposal has been unanimously approved in a meeting between series stakeholders in Geneva on Tuesday. The new system will be evaluated for introduction at the first grand prix of the year in Australia on March 20. The F1 commission also approves “new measures designed to deliver a faster, more spectacular” F1 championship in 2017. FIA says new bodywork regulations have been adopted “to create more exciting cars” next season. The F1 commission confirms the intention of introducing “some form of cockpit protection” next season.

Gianni Infantino UEFA secretary general

Football | FIFA asks for details of victory speeches ahead of election

FIFA asked presidential candidates to provide details of their intended victory speeches ahead of tomorrow’s election in a bid to keep them on message while the governing body’s tries to repair its scandal-tarnished image. The five contenders, who are to meet at a FIFA gathering, have also been provided with suggested answers to use in the post-vote news conference. FIFA’s administration has brought in American lawyers and communications advisers while trying to preserve its victim status in U.S. criminal corruption investigations. But Gianni Infantino (pictured), one of the men in the running to succeed Sepp Blatter as president, said he will resist any attempts by FIFA to control what he says if victorious tomorrow.

Football | Melbourne Victory top Shanghai 2-1 in Asian Champions

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s big-spending Shanghai SIPG lost its opening match in the Asian Champions League yesterday, falling to Melbourne Victory 2-1. The Australian team scored the winner courtesy of a disputed penalty, converted by Besart Berisha with 20 minutes remaining in the Group G match. Kosta Barbarouses was fouled in the box, but Shanghai claimed contact was made outside the area. Melbourne took the first-half lead when Jai Ingham finished a quick counter-attack. Wu Lei made it 1-1 for Shanghai in the 52nd minute. Melbourne has never made it past the group stage in five previous Champions League appearances but moved into first place in the group after South Korean club Suwon Bluewings held Japanese team Gamba Osaka to a 0-0 draw. Australia’s other representative in the tournament, Sydney FC, lost at Urawa Reds 2-0. Goals in each half from Yuki Muto and Shinzo Koroki gave the Japanese team three points in Group H.