The Rise and Fall of Fastest Lap Points in F1

Formula 1 is constantly tweaking its rules to spice up the show and keep teams on their toes. One of the more intriguing – and contentious – innovations of recent years has been the bonus point for setting the fastest lap in a race. When it returned to the sport in 2019, it promised to inject extra jeopardy into grands prix as teams weighed the reward of a single point against the risk of an extra pit stop. Five seasons later, the World Motor Sport Council has decided to remove it for 2025, ending another chapter in a story that actually stretches back to the earliest days of the world championship.

This article traces the journey of the fastest lap point. We’ll explore its origins, explain why it disappeared for decades, look at the motivations behind its 2019 revival, and consider why it has again been consigned to the history books. Along the way we’ll analyse how the bonus point influenced race strategy and standings, and what its removal might mean for the competitive dynamics of F1 in 2025 and beyond.

1. Origins: When fastest laps mattered most

In the inaugural Formula 1 world championship season in 1950, points were awarded to the top five finishers (8-6-4-3-2) plus a single point for the driver who set the fastest lap. This meant that a driver finishing outside the top five could still register on the scoreboard if they recorded the quickest lap. Over the next decade, the fastest lap point produced some notable oddities. Drivers who were otherwise out of contention would bolt on fresh tyres, burn off low fuel and set a ‘glory lap’ purely for that extra point. Some even borrowed team-mates’ cars when theirs had retired, simply to chase the bonus.

At the time, F1 races were gruelling endurance tests; reliability issues were common and the spreads between cars were huge. The fastest lap point provided an extra incentive for hard-charging privateers and gave backmarkers something to fight for. However, critics complained that it distorted the championship by allowing drivers with unreliable cars to amass points without necessarily finishing in the points-paying positions. As the sport evolved and scoring extended deeper into the field (from the top five to the top six in 1960), the bonus point seemed less necessary. For 1960 the governing body decided to scrap the fastest lap point altogether. For the next six decades it remained a historical footnote.

2. The long absence: why the sport left it behind

From 1960 through 2018, the world championship points system saw numerous revisions, but the fastest lap point never returned. There were several reasons for this. First, as technology improved and reliability increased, races were less prone to attrition. The championship became a contest of consistency rather than occasional flashes of speed. Awarding a point for a single lap in an era of near-perfect reliability was deemed too gimmicky.

Second, F1’s scoring system was gradually extended to reward more finishers: from six positions to eight in 2003, then ten in 2010. This broadened the distribution of points and made it less likely that a driver outside the points could make a meaningful impact by chasing a fastest lap.

Third, the sport’s commercial rights holders and teams were wary of anything that might encourage risky late-race pit stops. In the refuelling era (1982–2009) extra stops already posed hazards; adding a fastest lap incentive might have increased the chances of on-track incidents. For decades F1 focused on consistency and reliability, leaving the fastest lap bonus in the archives.

3. Revival in 2019: why the bonus point returned

When Liberty Media acquired F1’s commercial rights in 2017, they embarked on a mission to make the sport more entertaining. Fan surveys indicated that audiences wanted more unpredictable elements and opportunities for drivers to fight throughout the field. At the same time, Liberty sought to capitalise on the rise of social media by creating memorable in‑race moments. The idea of reintroducing a fastest lap bonus point – albeit with a modern twist – began to gain traction.

In early 2019 the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the revival: one point would be awarded to the driver who set the fastest lap in a grand prix, provided they finished in the top ten. This finishing requirement was crucial. It prevented backmarkers from fitting fresh tyres and setting a flyer without being competitive. The aim was to encourage leading drivers to push even at the end of a race, rather than turning down engines and cruising to the flag.

The change took effect at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in 2019. Right away it altered the strategic landscape. Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas took victory and also grabbed fastest lap, earning 26 points (25 for the win plus one bonus). The extra point expanded his championship lead and signalled that teams would have to consider the bonus in their race strategies.

4. Strategy games: how the bonus point influenced races

Over the next few seasons, the fastest lap point created a new layer of tactical intrigue. Teams began planning for scenarios in which a late pit stop could secure the bonus without jeopardising a top‑ten finish. On tracks with low tyre degradation, this often meant pitting near the end for fresh soft tyres, blasting out a quick lap and rejoining ahead of the chasing pack.

Some of the most memorable fastest lap duels occurred when the leading drivers were comfortably spaced and could pit without losing position. In 2021, for example, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton traded fastest laps in the championship fight, using every opportunity to snatch that extra point and psychologically needle their rival.

However, the bonus also caused friction. Drivers running in ninth or tenth would sometimes be asked by their teams to pit and set a fastest lap even if it risked dropping them out of the points. Others in the midfield complained that the top teams could essentially bank the bonus because they had enough pace margin to pit safely. The rule arguably favoured those with bigger performance gaps over their rivals.

The introduction of sprint events in 2021 complicated matters further. Because the sprint format had its own set of points, F1 decided not to award a fastest lap bonus in sprint races. This maintained the primacy of the main grand prix but also meant fewer opportunities for bonus points over a season.

5. Controversies and criticisms

While the revival added some excitement, it also drew criticism. One concern was that the bonus point encouraged unnecessary risk-taking. Pitting for a late tyre change could put a driver into traffic or expose them to safety car timing. If things went wrong, the team could lose far more than one point.

Another issue centred on fairness: only drivers finishing in the top ten were eligible for the bonus, which some saw as penalising backmarkers who might otherwise try to steal the accolade. There were also arguments that the point distorted race results by incentivising a sprint at the end rather than rewarding consistent pace over the full distance.

Some fans enjoyed the added layer of drama, but others viewed it as an artificial gimmick. Debates raged on social media: did the sport really need a bonus point to liven up races, or did it distract from the core competition?

The bonus point certainly did not decide every championship, but it played a role in the margins. In 2021 Verstappen set the fastest lap in the French Grand Prix to gain a buffer over Hamilton; in 2022 Charles Leclerc lost the bonus in Austria when his engine died on the cooldown lap. These moments show how a single point could carry weight in a tight title fight.

6. The 2025 decision: why F1 is dropping the bonus point

Ahead of the 2025 season, the FIA and Formula 1 management have opted to remove the fastest lap bonus. According to statements from the World Motor Sport Council, the decision reflects a desire to simplify the sport’s scoring and place more emphasis on race results rather than short bursts of speed. The council noted that since 2019 drivers have picked up an extra point if they finish in the top ten and achieve the fastest lap. However, they also highlighted feedback suggesting that the bonus added unnecessary complexity and did not significantly enhance the spectacle.

The removal forms part of a broader package of rule tweaks for 2025 that also adjust tyre blanket usage and mandatory tyre compounds in qualifying. But for many fans, the headline change is that fastest lap points have been banished. Six seasons after reviving the decade-old rule, Formula 1 will no longer reward whoever sets the quickest time over a single lap.

The decision has polarised opinion. Some drivers, particularly those in midfield teams, have welcomed the change. They argue that it will prevent the top outfits from gaining an extra advantage and ensure that all points are earned through consistent race performance. Others lament the loss of a strategic wrinkle that occasionally produced thrilling finales.

From an administrative standpoint, the removal simplifies scoring and reduces the number of graphics broadcasters must display. There will no longer be a need for a ‘fastest lap’ ticker or for teams to radio their drivers with “push for FLAP” instructions. The focus will return to position battles and tyre management.

7. Assessing the impact on championship dynamics

What does this mean for the competitive landscape? Removing the fastest lap point may slightly compress the spread between top drivers. Over a 24‑race season, the bonus point could theoretically add up to 24 extra points – nearly a race win – for a driver or team if they were able to dominate both pace and results. Without it, the margins will shrink. This could amplify the importance of every finishing position and encourage teams to fight harder for ninth or tenth place.

The change also affects constructors’ strategies. In the past, a team might pit one driver for fresh tyres if they were running safely inside the top ten, knowing that the loss of track position was minimal compared to the potential bonus. Now those late stops may not happen, reducing the number of fastest laps recorded on brand‑new tyres. This might lead to more natural, worn-tyre fastest laps set by drivers pushing at the end of a stint.

On the other hand, the removal could reduce some tactical intrigue in races that are otherwise processional. Without the carrot of an extra point, drivers may be less motivated to attack for the ultimate lap time late in the race if they cannot improve their position. Whether this makes the racing more or less exciting remains to be seen.

8. A brief statistical review: who benefited?

During its modern revival, the fastest lap point was shared among several top drivers but rarely influenced the final championship outcome. Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen collected the most bonuses from 2019–2023.

For example, Bottas scored the first bonus point in 2019 and went on to amass a handful across the season. Hamilton used fastest lap points to extend his leads or close gaps in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, Verstappen and Hamilton traded bonus points, though none proved decisive in their titanic fight. Lando Norris, Sergio Pérez and Daniel Ricciardo also picked up occasional fastest lap bonuses, often during chaotic races where strategic calls mattered.

One of the most notable beneficiaries was Pierre Gasly, who, after being dropped by Red Bull in 2019, snatched the bonus point in Mexico by pitting late and charging on fresh soft tyres to set the fastest lap while finishing ninth. That single point helped AlphaTauri climb in the constructors’ standings.

Yet even in cases like that, the bonus rarely altered championship positions dramatically. Its removal may thus have a minor statistical impact relative to the broader points system.

9. Perspectives: driver and fan reactions

Reaction to the removal has been mixed. Some drivers admit they will miss the thrill of chasing a single lap on fresh tyres. Others are relieved, as it eliminates an extra distraction during races. Fans on social media are similarly divided; while some say the bonus point added a layer of fun, others dismiss it as a gimmick that cluttered the scoring.

Commentators note that the decision underscores F1’s ongoing balancing act between tradition and innovation. The sport is willing to experiment with formats like sprint races but also prepared to roll back changes that don’t deliver the desired excitement. The fastest lap point’s short-lived revival exemplifies this nimbleness.

10. Conclusion: legacy of a fleeting experiment

The rise and fall of fastest lap points in Formula 1 encapsulates how the sport constantly evolves. Introduced at the dawn of the championship, abandoned as the series matured, revived in 2019 to add spice, and now removed again for 2025 – the bonus point has oscillated with the prevailing philosophy of what makes racing exciting.

Its return did produce memorable moments and strategic gambles, but it also drew criticism and arguably favoured the top teams. Ultimately, the decision to scrap it suggests that F1 believes its current mix of sprint races, extended points-paying positions and on-track drama provides enough spectacle.

For fans and historians, the fastest lap bonus remains a fascinating footnote that highlights the delicate balance between rewarding outright speed and sustaining a fair, compelling championship. Whether it returns again in some future era or disappears forever, the discussion around it will continue to illuminate what Formula 1 values most at any given time.