Fastest lap point to be scrapped from F1 in 2025

Formula 1 is scrapping the bonus point for fastest lap it introduced with much fanfare just five years ago.

The bonus point was originally awarded in the fifties, then dropped. F1 reintroduced in 2019, claiming it would “improve the show whilst maintaining the integrity of our sport.”
However the FIA confirmed today the World Motor Sport Council has agreed to drop the rule. Although a statement issued by the sport’s governing body appeared to suggest the change will happen this year, an FIA spokesperson confirmed to RaceFans the rule will not change until 2025.

The announcement comes after suspicions were raised over Daniel Ricciardo’s bid for fastest lap during the last round of the championship.

Championship leader Max Verstappen’s closest rival Lando Norris held the fastest lap and bonus point as the race entered its final laps. Ricciardo, driving for Red Bull’s second team RB, was running 18th and not eligible to score the bonus point, but was summoned into the pits by his team at the end of the race to fit a fresh set of soft tyres.

Ricciardo duly set the fastest lap, and despite not being able to claim point for himself, deprived Norris of it. This prompted claims Red Bull had used their second team to assist Verstappen in his championship fight. RB claimed Ricciardo was given the opportunity to set the fastest lap in what turned out to be his penultimate lap with the team, though his radio messages indicated he never requested it.

Ross Brawn, who oversaw the push to introduce the rule when he was F1 managing director, admitted at the time the rule could cause “controversial” scenarios in a championship fight.

In another change for next season, the number of practice sessions given over to junior drivers will double. Teams must run junior drivers in each of their two cars once under the current rules.