In a move that has sparked widespread reactions across the Formula 1 community, the FIA, the sport’s governing body, has announced a surprising rule change for the 2025 season. The bonus point awarded to the driver who sets the fastest lap during the race will be removed, marking a significant departure from a regulation that has been in place since 2019.
The fastest lap bonus point was initially introduced to add an extra layer of strategy to the race, rewarding drivers for pushing the limits until the very end. The rule allowed any driver finishing within the top 10 to claim an additional point if they set the fastest lap, often resulting in late-race pit stops by drivers trying to secure the bonus.
However, controversy surrounding the rule in recent times has pushed the FIA to reconsider its impact on the championship. Notably, in the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo, who was subsequently removed from his team, set the fastest lap late in the race, ultimately snatching the point from McLaren’s Lando Norris. This move indirectly helped Max Verstappen, Ricciardo's former Red Bull teammate, in the title race, raising eyebrows and drawing attention to the fairness of the rule.
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Following a meeting of the World Motorsport Council in Paris, the FIA decided to officially eliminate the fastest lap point from the 2025 season. The decision comes as part of broader minor changes in the Sporting and Technical regulations. The official FIA statement reads: “Minor changes for 2024 and 2025 Sporting and Technical regulations were approved by the World Council, including the removal of the point awarded for setting the fastest lap.”
In addition to scrapping the fastest lap point, the FIA also approved another notable change aimed at encouraging the development of young drivers. From Austin 2024 onwards, teams will be required to field a rookie driver in two free practice sessions (FP1) per season, up from the current requirement of just one. This adjustment aims to provide more opportunities for young talent to gain experience in a competitive environment.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be an intriguing one as the FIA continues to tweak regulations to maintain fairness and improve the racing spectacle. With these new rules set to take effect, the dynamics of how teams strategize towards the end of races could shift dramatically. F1 fans and teams alike will be closely watching how these changes impact the competition.
Here are some fan reactions:
rest in peace fastest lap bonus point 😔 we must remember you by with this pic.twitter.com/eidPBK0NAO
— ale¹ 🦁 (@verstayppen) October 17, 2024
what do you mean they’re taking away awarding fastest lap in f1? isn’t that like..the whole point..? pic.twitter.com/REvBfFWfKj
— el! (@ohmanifold) October 17, 2024
The Fastest Lap point awarded after the end of the race has been REMOVED from the 2025 season onwards pic.twitter.com/W7Qj2KXelt
— formula.jokes (@FormulaJokes) October 17, 2024
how do I blame zak brown for f1 taking away the fast lap point for 2025 pic.twitter.com/qmBFdhnxct
— not jo (@theverstappens) October 17, 2024
🚨 after the controversy of Daniel Ricciardo’s fastest lap, it has been confirmed by the FIA that F1 will drop the bonus points for fastest lap next year#F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/ojQIL1CjDm
— FormulaNerds 🤓🏁 (@Formula_Nerds) October 17, 2024
Wow…
— Matt Gallagher (@MattP1Gallagher) October 17, 2024
F1 are getting rid of the fastest lap point from 2025 onwards
FIA getting rid of fastest lap point for #F1 in 2025 makes it abundantly clear (yet again) that Mohammed Ben Sulayem doesn’t have a clear read on the pulse of this series. What a joke.
— NAT-NAT (@natariliz) October 17, 2024
Nothing funnier than if Danny Ric was the reason the fastest lap point is getting scrapped
— Z 🌹 (@HeyyItzA) October 17, 2024
Rip fastest lap point 2019-2024 you’ll be missed
— Aidan ✡︎ 🏎️ (@scuderiaidan) October 17, 2024