The World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on March 24, 2004. The following decisions were taken:

FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Qualifying
 
Approved the following changes to the current qualifying format as from the Bahrain Grand Prix:
 
the pre-qualifying session will begin at 13.00 local time;
 
qualifying for the grid will begin at 14.00 local time;
 
other sessions on Saturday will also be one hour earlier.

WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Wales Rally GB
 
Approved the continued inclusion of the event on the 2004 World Rally Championship calendar. The 2004 event will be monitored by observers to determine its future status in the Championship.

RALLY COMMISSION
 
Asia-Pacific Rally Championship
 
Approved a date change for the China Rally from October 9-10, 2004, to October 23-24, 2004.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES COMMISSION
 
Welcomed the planned collaboration between the Alternative Energies Commission and the European Space Agency in the development of a Transfer Technology Programme for new vehicles, particularly in relation to energy sources such as fuel and solar cells.

KARTING
 
Approved the adoption of a simplified and more efficient structure for the CIK-FIA which would be closer to the traditional structure of the specialised sporting commissions of the FIA.

Approved the establishment of a Working Group to develop regulations to reduce engine costs (four stroke and two stroke), increase reliability, limit the number of engines per event, reduce noise pollution and emissions.

Final and detailed engine regulations for both four stroke and two stroke (125cc) will be prepared for the June meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.