Point for fastest lap to be dropped

[DOCG]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fastest...

What are your thoughts in this?

Personally I think the point for FL is an unnecessary complication to championship calculations, especially considering the winner of the point is usually based on fortune of circumstance rather than pure pace.

Also I don't like that it changes how many points are given out for a race depending on whether the FL belongs to a top 10 driver or not.

[Jasandjules]

It was a stupid idea as it allowed people who had no chance of winning or even getting a podium sticking on some softs at the end of the race and going for Glory.

[FourWheelDrift]

A decision absolutely nothing to do with the last race and one Red Bull team sending one of their drivers out to take the point off the championship rival to the other Red Bull team driver, no, no siree, because both those teams are separate.

[CT05 Nose Cone]

Right decision, yet another rule that sounds like it will add some excitement on paper, but in reality just gave anyone with a 20 second gap an extra point. I assume Red Bull sending out their B-team to take a point off a rival was the final straw.

[tele_lover]

I think they should give 2 points for whoever is fastest in qualifying without any part penalties.

[Crudeoink]

I do think it's a shame. I'd like to see them give a point to not just the top 10 but anyone on circuit. If you're running P12 towards the end do you risk it for fastest lap, or keep going incase someone in front DNF's, fails inspection etc ?
In yesterday's race we saw the Williams with Colapinto running fastest lap until Alpine put Ocon on the softs last minute to take it away. At least if the other 7 cars that weren't in points positions could have challenged for the point, it would have added some extra excitement towards the end of the race.
Either that or just don't let anyone in the bottom 10 be able to take it away. We should be seeing things like the racing bulls or Alpine simply doing it to take it away from a top 10 driver

Edited by Crudeoink on Monday 21st October 08:33

[K50 DEL]

I think it's a real shame.
Since its inception I think it's added excitement more times than not, seems counter-intuitive to me.

I'd like to see a point for each full lap led as well, would make pit stop strategy much more interesting and works well in various American championships.

[carinaman]

I've only watched a bit of the Mexican GP.

If it spices up the competition for the Constructor's Championship then leave it.

If a point for fastest lap helps teach McLaren that messing about like amateurs cost them both Championships in 2024 that's a good thing.


I think it would be better not to penalise the driver by grid drops for car failures. Does penalising the driver for car failure encourage mechnical sympathy in the driver and viewing public?

Just deduct points from the Constructor's Championship in the event of Engine, hybrid powerplant and transmission failures, leave the driver and their Championship out of it.

Edited by carinaman on Monday 28th October 11:43

[Time4another]

My preference would have been to either only award it the fastest car in the top 10 where nobody outside the top 10 can take it, or open it up to the whole field and let the teams running near the rear have something to go after.

Of all the things needing tweeked in F1, I don't know why they have went after this issue.

[thegreenhell]

There are too many variables and team tactics in a race for it to have any real meaning. If they want to give an arbitrary point to the fastest guy just give it for pole position.

[Bo_apex]

tele_lover said:

I think they should give 2 points for whoever is fastest in qualifying without any part penalties.

That's actually a good idea

[Blue62]

Bo_apex said:

That's actually a good idea

Not sure I agree, the prize for pole is just that. Personally I don’t like the fastest lap or the whole sprint thing, but I’m (almost) an old git.

Keep it simple for me, they try to spice it up and add interest but in the end I think they lose the essence of racing and open the whole thing up to abuse and manipulation. Sorry.