E-vote on Monday likely to see point for fastest race lap re-introduced to F1 from season opener.

Though there was no mention in the statement that followed yesterday's meeting of the World Motor Sport Council – which worryingly, in terms of F1 only referred to the "launch of a series of tenders within the context of the ongoing development of the 2021 Technical Regulations" - it appears that an E-vote will take place on Monday to decide whether to award a championship point for the driver who posts the fastest race lap during a Grand Prix.

If approved, the idea would be introduced from next week's season opener in Melbourne.

It wouldn't be the first time the driver setting the fastest race lap has been awarded points, for the practice was used between the inaugural season of F1 in 1950 and continued until 1959.

While the matter was discussed and approved yesterday, it now has to be submitted to the F1 Commission if it is to be included in the 2019 Sporting Regulations. If it is approved in Monday's E-vote, the system will be introduced next weekend.

Formula E already awards a point for the driver who posts the fastest lap of the race, while the practice has also been used in F2 and GP3 for years.

However, the point, which it is hoped will encourage drivers to push harder in the final stages of a race, and possibly encourage late pit stops, will only be awarded if the driver who posts the fastest time finishes in the top ten, this being a bid to prevent the sort of late fliers we saw from Fernando Alonso last year.

While the idea has been mooted for some time, the only occasion when it would have affected the final standings in recent history is 2008 when Felipe Massa would have denied Lewis Hamilton the crown courtesy of his three fastest laps to the Briton's one.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Rock Doc, 08/03/2019 21:36

"They will be giving points for the most likes on their social media feeds next.

Let's just stick to getting the racing right first without all the extra fluff."

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2. Posted by Uffen, 08/03/2019 21:12

"The article says that the fast lap point would have had an impact on very few seasons. Massa would have won in 2007. But wait, that may not have been the case had the whole field been chasing that point for the whole season.
But, I agree that it is a gimmick. We'll see teams set up "tows" etc., late in races to try to grab that one point. Why doesn't the team get a point as well? After all they provided the means.
And FQITW is correct... why remove an incentive for those who wouldn't otherwise get points? "

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3. Posted by Spindoctor, 08/03/2019 17:02

"Gimmick. More holes than a colander and utterly irrelevant"

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4. Posted by @R1Racing71, 08/03/2019 15:39

"Personally I think this is a positive step, and will spice up the action.
Drivers pushing hard towards the end of the race to secure an additional point, who knows what could happen in the closing stages.

Finally a good move from the powers that be.
"

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5. Posted by Ro, 08/03/2019 15:05

"How ridiculous. What next? One point for the quickest pitstop, one for the poleman? how about one point for the best overtake? Sheer nonsense. Next they will put success ballast on the cars! It will cease to be RACING. On that note, there will be better RACING at a club meeting. F1 is dying, Media Liberty just dont get it."

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6. Posted by doppelganger, 08/03/2019 13:14

"No No No, to any points for anything other than the race.

If anything, every drive who completes the race distance could get a point.

F1 continues it's downward spiral. Not that I'll be paying to watch Sky's dire coverage anyway.

"

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7. Posted by Mad Matt, 08/03/2019 12:42

"Agree with rosscogeo and FQITW but no points for pole. Surly that's already its own reward......"

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8. Posted by rosscogeo, 08/03/2019 12:38

"One point for pole and one point for fastest lap regardless of finishing position.
This should help lower end teams who want to see how pushing their car to limit will fair especially in terms of reliability as well as allowing lesser known drivers show their talent despite being in the midpack or back of the race.
Should also allow drivers who have damaged cars (eg front wing) something to drive for after all ask yourself what does a Williams or Torro Rosso have to drive for if their car is damaged especially if it wasn't their fault?"

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9. Posted by Canuck, 08/03/2019 12:28

"I think the extra point should be given for pole - not for fastest lap. With the rules forcing tire change fastest lap has become a bit of a farce. Yes it is entertaining to see a last minute pit stop to see if you can get the fastest lap, it no longer means as much. Pole position or maybe even top 3 fastest in qualifying is much more meaningful. Formula E does not have pit stops so for them fastest lap is more meaningful as also thay do not have reduced fuel weight."

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10. Posted by imejl99, 08/03/2019 11:49

"Gimmick.
"

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11. Posted by FQITW, 08/03/2019 11:37

"“will only be awarded if the driver who posts the fastest time finishes in the top ten, this being a bid to prevent the sort of late fliers we saw from Fernando Alonso last year.”

???

So its not the Fastest lap but the ‘fastest lap’ by a top ten finisher who may indeed be slower than a person who finishes outside the top ten who does have the actual fastest time….

Glad that all makes perfect sense in true Liberty fashion.

Anyway did not the odd Alonso charge not entertain everyone?

I suppose he should have just tooled around saving tyres/fuel/electricity/toilet paper to improve the show.
"

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F1 set to introduce a point for fastest race lap

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