Formula One has announced a surprising rule change for the 2025 season, introducing a ‘bonus point for fastest lap’ provision. The decision was made by the FIA, the governing body of F1, ahead of the upcoming 24-race calendar.
The rule change sees the removal of the extra point awarded to the driver who sets the fastest lap during a Grand Prix, provided they finish within the top-10. This bonus point was first introduced in 2019 but has now been scrapped after some controversy surrounding driver Daniel Ricciardo’s late fast lap in the Singapore Grand Prix.
In that race, Ricciardo’s fastest lap took the point away from Lando Norris, benefitting Max Verstappen in the title race. Following a meeting of the World Motorsport Council in Paris, the FIA confirmed the decision to eliminate the rule, aiming to avoid strategic late-race pit stops solely for claiming the extra point.
A statement from the FIA highlighted additional changes for the 2024 and 2025 Sporting and Technical regulations, including the increase in young driver participation during free practice sessions from once to twice per season. These modifications are set to take effect from the 2025 season onwards.
Furthermore, the announcement clarified that starting next year, each car will have two opportunities to field a young driver in a free practice session. Presently, only one such opportunity is provided per season for a grid driver to give up their practice spot for a rookie driver.
As Formula One gears up for the United States Grand Prix in Austin after a four-week hiatus, the title race heats up with Max Verstappen leading Lando Norris by 52 points. With six races and three sprint events remaining, the competition promises to be intense in the run-up to the end of the season.