Method One will scrap from subsequent season the bonus level awarded to the motive force who units the quickest lap in a grand prix, the governing FIA mentioned on Thursday.
Since 2019 the rules have allotted an additional level supplied the motive force finishes within the prime 10 — a doubtlessly vital consideration in a 24-race season like 2024.
The FIA mentioned forward of the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin that adjustments to the 2024 and 2025 sporting and technical rules had been authorised by its World Motor Sport Council at a gathering in Paris and by video convention.
In addition to eradicating the purpose for quickest lap, the requirement for fielding a younger driver throughout free follow will enhance from as soon as per automobile per season to twice per automobile per season.
The quickest lap level may be essential when the championship is on a knife-edge but it surely has additionally turn out to be part of technique, generally controversially when utilized by groups with widespread possession.
Eventually month’s Singapore Grand Prix, RB’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo pitted on the finish for contemporary tyres to set the quickest lap in what was probably the final race of his F1 profession.
The transfer didn’t deliver him some extent, as a result of he was exterior the highest 10, however benefitted Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen by taking the purpose away from McLaren rival Lando Norris, who had beforehand been quickest.
Norris, 52 factors behind Verstappen with six rounds remaining, has taken 4 factors from quickest laps thus far this season — together with three of the final 4 — to the triple champion’s two.
“I might say in all probability it is the suitable factor to eliminate it as a result of it is not likely relative to the pace, like who’s the quickest on the market,” mentioned Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas on the Circuit of the Americas.
“It is at all times relying on technique, who stops the final principally will get it, so it would not inform a lot. I feel even with our automobile, we might generally perhaps get it if we cease earlier than the final lap and go all out.”
Sauber are the one crew but to attain some extent this season.