In 2025, a series of new rules will be implemented in Formula 1, as announced by the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) on Thursday. The most notable change is the removal of the point awarded for the fastest race lap. Most drivers agree that this is a wise decision. Carlos Sainz suggests that a more intriguing alternative would be to award a bonus point for pole position.
“I’ve always felt that the point for the fastest race lap was superfluous,” Carlos Sainz stated in a press conference on Thursday. “Often, that point simply goes to the one who can make another pit stop before the end of the race; it doesn’t truly reflect who is the fastest.” According to the Spanish driver, a bonus point for pole position is far more appealing. “That’s what everyone truly values,” he explained. “As a driver, it’s much more exciting to be the fastest then – you may have taken more risks and given everything to secure the pole. In a field where not one car takes all the pole positions, that’s quite interesting.”
Esteban Ocon’s Take on Pole Position Rewards
Esteban Ocon, who also participated in the press conference, believes that rewarding pole position is a good alternative. “For us as drivers, it’s very important to start from pole,” he explained. “It gives a lot of satisfaction, while in the race you are actually busy racing and not setting the fastest time. A bonus point for pole position would be a much nicer reward.”
Lando Norris’ Perspective on Rule Changes
“I don’t know why they changed the rules,” Lando Norris responded. “I always liked the extra point for the fastest race lap. It always gives you the option to fight for something else. It also carries risks – a late pit stop can of course always go wrong. I don’t really understand it, I wouldn’t necessarily have wanted to change it.”
Norris lost the point for the fastest race lap in Singapore because Daniel Ricciardo came in for new tires at the last moment. “If those kinds of things happen more often, I understand why you would scrap the rule,” Norris continued. “But I didn’t see it as a reason to immediately change the system. If I miss the world title by one point at the end of the ride, it’s certainly not because of that,” he said later. “There are other moments to point out where we dropped the ball.”
