In a brief release tonight, the FIA has confirmed that, starting from this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, one point will be awarded to the driver who achieves the fastest lap in a race, provided that driver is also classified in the top 10.

A point will also be awarded to the Constructor of the driver setting the fastest lap.

The FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the change to the 2019 Sporting Regulations at its last meeting on 7 March in Geneva, subject to the successful outcome of an e-vote by the F1 Strategy Group and the F1 Commission. This process was concluded today and unanimous approval given.

The change means an extra 21 championship points can be accrued over the course of a season by both drivers and constructors.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by FQITW, 12/03/2019 9:10

"This rule is a sham and very misleading.

It is not the fastest time set in the race but the fastest time set by one of only ten people out of 20/22/24 starters.
Yes it could be the fastest lap but equally it could not.

Firstly towards the end of a race most front runners are pussyfooting around on a Mobil Economy Run (no disrespect to Mobil) so will not be risking anything which could break the car or make it underweight. Not for one point.

Secondly lets imagine say Vettel storms off into the lead on soft tyres and does a blistering lap but has a problem and retires the car halfway through the race. If his good lap is the best overall by the end of the race then HE HAS THE FASTEST LAP no question.
Not someone who is the second quickest with a slower time but who finishes in the top ten.

What is it with Brawn/Liberty/FIA that leads them up such blind alleys?

They should be glad for the ‘show’ that people like Alonso went for the glory laps to keep the viewers watching or indeed the driver who had problems early in the race and has no chance of a good finish but will go out to reward his team (and enhance his reputation) for all their hard work.

This will kill off any stirring recovery drives which people remember long after they forget who won.
"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by jagger, 12/03/2019 4:51

"It could have been a good idea, had it been 3 points. For one point a race , over 20 races, the top 10 drivers will be dividing the points and at the end it will mean only a couple of points difference and meaningless.
You don't seriously think that a lead car will risk the race to go after one extra point ? I agree the guys between 4 and 10 might, but who cares ? It is a good try though, keep thinking. "

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by TokyoAussie, 12/03/2019 3:34

"Won't affect the championship, in all likelihood. Might make for some backmarkers doing banzai laps, though."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by Joop deBruin, 12/03/2019 2:22

"Should be available to anybody. Then I love the idea."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by Rock Doc, 11/03/2019 22:19

"@ GarH. You read my mind. That would have been Alonso the last couple of years.

Not only is the point for the fastest lap dumb, only allowing it for the top 10 is the real kicker. "

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by GreenFlag, 11/03/2019 21:47

"It will create more interest and competition in the closing laps with no additional cost to anyone. You know Lewis, Seb and Max will have a go to bag an extra point, and so will most of the midfielders. Finally a smart move by Liberty."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

7. Posted by GarH, 11/03/2019 20:50

"Wouldn't it be amusing if one of the Williams' drivers took it upon himself to chase the fastest lap at every race, knowing he'd not get a point and neither would anyone else.
"

Rating: Positive (3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

8. Posted by Editor, 11/03/2019 20:24

"@ C5

Agrajag merely pointed out a typo in the lede that read "piint" instead of "point"

"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

9. Posted by Uffen, 11/03/2019 20:18

"Another great idea to spice up the show.
We all remember the DRS, one-lap qualifying, sending a car to the next county for the race start due to a mechanical failure, giving points to half the field, and on and on.
So much spice..."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

10. Posted by C5, 11/03/2019 19:43

"Not sure what @Agrajag said below that got banned. But it sure is a tough task to express a genuine thought about the F1 governing or commercial entity that is remotely suitable for nice polite company... Sigh."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

11. Posted by Agrajag, 11/03/2019 19:15 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 11/03/2019 19:19)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Neutral (0)

Official: FIA confirms a point for fastest race lap from Melbourne

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page