F1 will no longer award a point for the fastest lap in the 2025 season. This decision comes after the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting on Thursday.
The council met to discuss changes with the current regulations and the incoming rules for 2026. A significant change they’ve made to the existing regulations was the elimination of the fastest lap point for next season.
F1 drivers finishing within the top 10 of a race have been awarded the fastest lap point since 2019. The rule was first implemented to give the drivers something else to fight for during races.
While the lure of the fastest lap created some interesting strategy calls, it’s often been awarded to drivers with a large gap to the car behind.
After Daniel Ricciardo took the fastest lap from Lando Norris in Singapore, the rule has been in the spotlight. Norris is in a championship fight with Max Verstappen, and that singular point could mean everything by Abu Dhabi.
From 2025 onwards, a driver will only be able to earn a maximum of 25 points in a race instead of the previous 26.
Increased FP1 Outings for Young Drivers
Along with the removal of the fastest lap point, the FIA World Motor Sport Council also made some changes regarding rookie FP1 outings.
Currently, each F1 team must give up two FP1 sessions to rookie drivers. In 2025, that amount will double to four FP1 sessions a year, two for each car. The new rule will give young drivers more opportunities in F1 machinery.
The decision comes not long after the postponement of the proposed rookie sprint race during F1 post-season testing in Abu Dhabi. The sprint race was to help young drivers get more experience in a Formula 1 car, but it won’t take place until 2025 at the earliest.
The council also made significant adjustments to the 2026 Technical and Sporting Regulations.