The Formula 1 will eliminate from next season the extra point awarded to the driver who sets the fastest lap in a grand prix, as announced this Thursday by the FIA.
Since 2019, regulations have allocated an extra point whenever the driver finishes in the top 10, a potentially significant consideration in a 24-race season like 2024.
The FIA said before United States Grand Prixwhich will be held in Austin this weekend, that the changes to the sporting and technical regulations for 2024 and 2025 were approved by its World Motor Sport Council at a meeting in Paris and by video conference.
In addition to eliminating the point for fastest lap, the requirement to field a young driver during free practice will increase from one to two times per car per season.
The point per fastest lap can be crucial when the championship is tight, but it has also become a sometimes controversial part of the strategy when used by commonly owned teams.
In it Singapore Grand Prix last month, Australian RB driver Daniel Ricciardo He pitted at the end to put on fresh tires and set the fastest lap in what was probably the last race of his F1 career.
The maneuver did not bring him any points, because he was outside the top 10, but it benefited Max Verstappen, of Red Bull, by taking the point away from his McLaren rival. Landau Norriswhich had been the fastest previously.
Norris, who is 52 points behind Verstappen with six races remaining, has achieved four points for fastest laps so far this season – including three of the last four – compared to two for the three-time champion.
