Written by Owen Bradley
Formula One will no longer be awarding an extra point for drivers who set the Fastest Lap and finish inside the Top 10 during a Grand Prix, the FIA deciding to scrap the Fastest Lap Point at the end of this season.
The fastest lap point was added back in 2019 to give drivers on the fringes of the Top 10, a reason to fight back into the points, and for those towards the lower end of the Top 10, a purpose to score another point.
However, despite the initial intentions, it frequently became a situation where the fastest driver in the lead of the race, would manage to build a steady lead and eventually come into the pits, putting on the softest compound, with the best track conditions, therefore being able to benefit from a heated circuit with a clear and defined racing line, managing to usually set the fastest lap.
On the other hand, there would also be the occasion where the fastest car at that particular track, would usually end up taking the fastest lap point.
However, this announcement comes shortly after Daniel Ricciardo set the Fastest Lap at the Singapore Grand Prix, subsequently taking that extra point away from the previous fastest lap owner, Lando Norris.
With the ongoing championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, many people suspected that Red Bull used their sister team, Visa CashApp RB, and therefore Ricciardo, to take that extra point away from their main championship rival, as well as Ricciardo also being given a send-off as well.
This announcement means that from 2025 onwards, the maximum amount of points that a driver can score on a regular Grand Prix weekend, will be restored to the previous and traditional points system, with 25 points for a victory.
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