F1 News

Point for fastest lap confirmed

Point for fastest lap confirmed

11-03-2019 19:33

Bevan Youl

It has been confirmed that a point will be awarded to the driver that completes the fastest lap of a race for each race across this year calendar.

The additional point will be awarded to the driver so long as they are in the top ten and have the fastest lap. If the fastest lap is from a driver outside the top ten then no point will be awarded.
 
Because of this addition it means that there are and extra 21 points up for grabs throughout the year, potentially increasing the battle for positions throughout races.
 
The point will count towards both the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors Championship.
 
A statement released by the FIA on their website says: “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 this 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.”
 
Managing Director of Motorsport, Ross Brawn commented saying: "We felt that the reintroduction, after sixty years, of a point for the driver of the fastest lap in the race goes in this direction. We have been considering this solution - which represents a response to detailed research carried out with thousands of our fans around the world — for a number of months.
 
"How many times have we heard the drivers on the radio ask the team about who holds the fastest lap? Now it will no longer be only a matter of record and prestige, but there will be a concrete motivation that will make the final part of the race even more interesting.”