by Formula 1 will lose the bonus point for the fastest lap from the 2025 season.
In an unexpected move confirmed at the latest meeting of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council on Thursday, the governing body confirmed that the extra point will no longer be awarded to the driver who sets the fastest lap at a grand prix next year.
The rule returned to the sport in 2019 after a 60-year absence. The point is currently only awarded to a driver who ends up in the top 10.
“Minor changes to the sporting and technical regulations for 2024 and 2025 have been approved by the World Council, including the deletion of the fastest lap point,” an FIA statement said.
Although the FIA statement mentioned both this season and next, a spokesman for the governing body subsequently clarified the change in relation to the start of the 2025 season.
Although no reason was given for the rule change, the move comes weeks after the bonus point controversy at last month’s Singapore GP.
Daniel Ricciardo, driving in his last race for Red Bull’s sister team RB before losing his place to Liam Lawson, pitted at the back of the field on his penultimate lap of the race to quickly fit new tires, allowing him to set the fastest lap time of the race drive.
Although Ricciardo, who finished 18th, was unable to take the associated extra point as he was well outside the top 10, the bonus was withdrawn from McLaren race winner Lando Norris, who until then had held the fastest time.
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Daniel Ricciardo discussed whether he will stay in Formula 1 after the Singapore GP and the late pit stop for the fastest lap at RB.
Norris is fighting for the drivers’ championship with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and would have left Singapore with six races to go, 51 instead of 52 points behind the Dutchman.
RB insisted they made the decision to send Ricciardo to the pits because they wanted him to go out with the fastest lap, even though they expected him to be on the verge of losing his seat, which a few days later this also happened.
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella said that while he had no evidence to question the team’s motive and that he was happy for his former driver Ricciardo, he still found the strategy “a bit strange”.
Since the sport’s fastest lap point was reintroduced five years ago, teams have often taken the chance to secure an extra point near the end of a race by sending one of their drivers to the pits late for new tires, if the gap was large, the car was behind.
Verstappen successfully used such a move and the risks associated with an additional pit stop on the final lap of the 2023 Austrian GP with a lead of more than 20 seconds.
Sky Sports F1’s live United States GP schedule
Friday, October 18th
6:00 p.m.: First United States GP practice (session begins at 6:30 p.m.*)
8.30 p.m.: Press conference of the team bosses
10:00 p.m.: Sprint qualifying for the United States GP (qualifying begins at 10:30 p.m.*)
Saturday, October 19th
6:00 p.m.: Preparation for the sprint to the United States GP
7:00 p.m.: United States GP Sprint
8:30 p.m.: Ted’s sprint notebook
10:00 p.m.: Preparation for qualifying for the United States GP*
11:00 p.m.: United States GP qualifying*
(Sunday) 1am: Ted’s Qualifications Notebook
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Take a look at some of the most dramatic moments from the United States Grand Prix
Sunday, October 20th
6:30 p.m.: Grand Prix Sunday: Preparation for the United States GP*
8:00 p.m.: THE GRAND PRIX OF THE UNITED STATES*
10 p.m.: Checkered flag: United States GP reaction
11 p.m.: Ted’s notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event (race preparation on Sunday from 7:15 p.m.)
Just six races left in Formula 1 2024 and the season continues with a sprint weekend at the United States Grand Prix in Austin from this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership – no contract, cancel anytime
