Feb.14 (GMM) Components 1 axed the bonus level for quickest lap for the 2025 season as a result of it was “controversial”.
Final October, the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council ratified the removing of the additional level for a top-10 finisher – however didn’t clarify why.
Many suspected it was instantly associated to a extremely controversial incident involving McLaren’s Lando Norris in Singapore.
In that race, Daniel Ricciardo’s late pitstop for brand spanking new tyres within the Purple Bull-owned Racing Bulls automotive, and subsequent quickest lap, disadvantaged Norris of a much-needed level in his title struggle with Max Verstappen.
“You understand, it was Daniel’s final race but it surely was additionally one thing to remove from me,” Norris mentioned on the time.
“If it was completed with intent, then it’s clearly not what we agree with. And I don’t suppose one thing that Components 1 would agree with both.”
Months later, F1 has lastly admitted that it was this kind of controversy that triggered the choice to scrap the quickest lap level.
In a put up on its official web site, Components 1 defined: “Since 2019, a driver ending within the high 10 might earn a bonus level by setting the quickest lap of the race.
“Generally that meant drivers would nonetheless be pushing late on attempting to take the accolade, and even make late pitstops for contemporary rubber to extend their return.
“But it surely additionally opened up the chance for a automotive outdoors the highest 10 to pit and take the purpose away from one other driver, even when they weren’t going to attain themselves. And with the bonus typically proving a controversial matter, the choice was taken to take away it from the scoring system this 12 months.”
