Should F1 drop the point for the fastest lap? Our writers debate

Daniel Ricciardo setting the fastest lap in the Singapore GP reopened the debate about the rule that awards one extra point to the driver who sets it.

The Australian’s late switch to soft tyres allowed him to steal the fastest lap from dominant race winner Lando Norris, who was set to get the bonus point before the final lap. 

The move reignited the controversy about a rule that could prove vital as the McLaren driver tries to keep reducing the gap to Max Verstappen in the standings.

So should the extra point stay in F1 or is it an unnecessary complication? Our writers debate. 

The point rule should stay, but be tweaked – Jonathan Noble

When a world championship fight becomes as close as it looks to be this year, it is inevitable that the scrap for every single point will become more intense.

That is why RB’s decision to let Daniel Ricciardo gun for fastest lap in what looks likely to have been his final F1 race in Singapore proved so controversial – because it meant that Lando Norris was robbed of what could be a critical points bonus.

It is a scenario that has inevitably reignited the doom-mongers’ fears of a world title being decided by some fastest-lap shenanigans in Abu Dhabi, and renewed calls for the extra point on offer to be scrapped.

But, while there is admittedly a risk of a controversial finish to the season if spoiler tactics get rolled out, that is not a good enough reason to get rid of an aspect of F1 that has worked pretty well since it was re-introduced in 2019.

In fact, talking only about the fastest lap spoiling a title decider is a glass-half-empty attitude.

The potential for a spoiler fastest lap tactic to influence the world championship is actually no greater and no more controversial than a team letting another driver gain an extra point through track position, or even being deliberately retired to help a team-mate who is running 11th move up a spot and get the extra point needed anyway.

Plus, the mathematical reality is that having that single extra point available, it could be what makes the difference between having a title finale or not.

Lando Norris could be 26 points adrift of Max Verstappen leaving the Qatar Grand Prix this year and still set up the prospect of an exciting thriller in Abu Dhabi.

If that bonus point didn’t exist, then the title battle would be done earlier anyway – which surely is not…