Formula One is scrapping from next year the awarding of bonus points for fastest lap in a race introduced with much fanfare just five years ago, governing body the FIA said on Thursday.
The bonus point was originally awarded in the 1950s but was then dropped before being reintroduced in 2019 for the Tour if a driver finished in the top ten.
It has potential significance in a long 24-race season like this year.
The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) made the announcement ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix amid changes to sporting and technical rules for 2024 and 2025 following approval by the World Motor Sport Council.
In another change, the requirement to field a young driver during free practice has been increased from once per car per season to twice per car per season.
The importance of fastest lap was shown at last month’s Singapore Grand Prix, where Australian RB driver Daniel Ricciardo pitted for new tires to set the fastest lap in his final race.
RB is a sister team to Red Bull and thus deprived rivals such as McLaren and their title contender driver Lando Norris of a potential extra point.
Norris held the fastest lap and bonus point as the race entered its final laps.
Ricciardo was 18th and ineligible for a bonus point, but was called to the pits and duly set the lap, depriving Norris of a point.
(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published by a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)
