MOTOR SPORT: The Formula One drivers met Max Mosley, head of the sport's governing body, yesterday to discuss measures to improve safety at private testing.

A dozen drivers, including both active world champions Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, took part in the talks in the south of France.

"The meeting with the drivers was very constructive," said Mosley. "The discussions covered a wide range of topics which included safety at testing, regulations for 2008, super-licences, overtaking and qualifying."

The drivers want to put safety measures at test sessions on a par with grands prix.

"This is actually my biggest concern," said David Coulthard. "Okay, we have a helicopter, but the basic facilities at tests have not changed since Elio de Angelis was killed."

The Italian driver died while testing at Le Castellet in southern France in 1986.

"My biggest accidents have actually come in testing as a result of mechanical failure," added the Scot.

The drivers have been divided, however, by proposals for changes to qualifying next year, with some favouring a return to multiple-lap sessions and other preferring the current format with each driver on track alone for one quick lap.

Meanwhile, Takuma Sato can still hope to race for BAR next year but the Formula One team say he must score points regularly from now on.

The Japanese took his first point of the year in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the championship, by finishing eighth.

However, the expected signing of Brazilian Rubens Barrichello from Ferrari, yet to be confirmed by either team but widely taken for granted in the paddock, has left a question mark over Sato's future.

If BAR's ideal line-up for 2006 is indeed Jenson Button, who is trying to extricate himself from a contract with Williams, and Barrichello, then that would leave no room for the erratic Sato.

Team boss Nick Fry said that the Japanese driver still had plenty to play for, however. "It (Sato's job) hasn't gone already, far from it. Takuma needs to put in decent performances for the rest of the year, but the door is still open. I don't think any driver's position is protected," said Fry, whose team is 45 per cent owned by Japanese carmaker Honda.

"We've got to have two drivers that can regularly score points, it's as simple as that. Taku did a good job but we're looking for him to do that in every race."

Fry hoped the situation would become clearer soon. "Obviously we'd like to sort out the Jenson situation as soon as possible. That's clearly difficult, but hopefully we can announce something regarding drivers in the next month or so," he said.

If that announcement, maybe before the Turkish Grand Prix on August 21st, concerns Barrichello, then Sato would still have a chance if Williams force Button's hand.

He faces strong competition for the seat, however.

"Lots of people have expressed interest in coming to the team, which is really very encouraging," said Fry.

"I think they can all see the opportunity here just as Jenson can. As far as specifics, I can't say any more."