Pilots are divided on the removal of the fastest lap point in 2025

This Thursday, the FIA, the FOM, and the Formula 1 teams made the decision to remove the point for the fastest lap earned by a driver in the top 10 from 2025 onwards. Minor changes to the sporting and technical regulations for 2024 and 2025 were approved by the World Council, including the removal of the point awarded for the fastest lap, as stated in the press release provided after this meeting. Undoubtedly a choice motivated by the criticisms faced by the governing bodies of the FIA at the Singapore Grand Prix where Ricciardo, a Racing Bulls driver who was only 18th in the race, decided to pit in the final laps to secure the fastest lap instead of Norris, a McLaren driver and rival of Verstappen in the championship.

A novelty without any major impact

Introduced in 2019 to add more spectacle and uncertainty during races by forcing drivers to push until the end, this rule will ultimately be removed next year, due to the limited interest it has generated among fans and even drivers. Indeed, obtaining this extra point ultimately played no role in deciding the championship title at the end of the season (in 2021, Hamilton and Verstappen both collected six fastest laps during races).

Many drivers in favor of this decision…

Upon their arrival in Austin, the F1 drivers were invited to react to this decision, and most of them approved it, like Carlos Sainz. The Ferrari driver particularly questioned its use and the fact that it did not reward the best driver, but rather the one who was in the most optimal position to make another pit stop without losing position.

« I always thought that this point was not necessary, mainly because of the way it is obtained,” said the Spaniard to the media, including Autosport. « Currently, this point goes to whoever has a free pit stop one lap before the end of the race. So, it doesn’t show who is the fastest driver in the race and who deserves a point for being the fastest. Most of the time, it’s a point that goes to someone who, by chance or luck, or by the race situation, gets a free stop at some point during the race. » These comments were later supported by his teammate Charles Leclerc: « It doesn’t always reward the best driver, as Carlos said. Because in general, this point is awarded to the driver who is in a position to make an extra pit stop without losing their place. »

On his part, George Russell claims: “I have always thought that the point for the fastest lap made no sense, as it was always the driver who had a difficult race and went into the pits for new tires and to get the extra point. I never really saw any advantage in it, so I’m quite happy to see that it has been removed.” Strong opinions, but not approved by everyone. For Sergio Perez, this additional point added even more pressure on the drivers, as it pushed them to take risks and potentially lose everything if the pit stop went wrong.

…But contested by others

« I don’t really agree »,” he stated. « It brought a lot. There were races, especially when the championship was very close between teams and drivers, where it could really make a difference. We are talking about 24 points over a season. I don’t know why it changed, I thought it was rather good. When you go for it, there is a lot of pressure for the mechanics, to make the perfect pit stop, and for you, to achieve the best lap. I don’t think it’s the best decision. » Among all the drivers, Lando Norris’ opinion was the most interesting, given the Singapore Grand Prix where he was deprived of this point on the last lap. Nevertheless, the Briton would have liked this rule to remain in Formula 1.

« I quite liked the current situation. I mean, you know, there is an opportunity to go after something else. Sometimes you pay the price for taking such a risk, and it has always been a risk in some scenarios. If your pit stop goes wrong, you know, for different reasons. I don’t think they should change it just because people question it after Singapore. » Among the possible alternatives, F1 would consider awarding points for pole position, as it happens in Formula 2, where the driver in pole position gets two extra points. An initiative that drivers seem to welcome much more favorably.

An additional point offered for the pole position?

« Yes, I agree,” revealed Carlos Sainz. « The pole position has a lot of value, at least in Formula 1. And obviously, as drivers, we like to be the fastest in qualifying because it shows that you may have done the cleanest lap, taken more risks – that you have put everything on the line to secure the pole position. In an ideal scenario with a close field, it could make more sense than setting the fastest lap in the race. » A view shared by the Frenchman Esteban Ocon: « For us drivers, being in pole position is something very important and I think, for all of you, it is something we put a lot of effort into and it is very rewarding.”

« I never thought it was a good thing to have a point for the fastest lap in the race. But for pole position, it would be much more rewarding and it’s something I would prefer. » Before that, the fastest lap point will still be awarded six more times this season, and it could ultimately prove decisive in the title battle between Norris and Verstappen.