Fastest lap bonus - Farce or Fabulous

[Nitrodaze]

At the very last few days leading up to the first grand prix in Melbourne Australia, the F1 management rushed in a new rule for F1 that awards one point for the fastest lap of the race. There is one caveat, drivers can only get the bonus point, only if they finish the race in the top ten. Hence, if a driver does the fastest lap and then broke down before the end of the race, he would not be awarded the bonus point even if nobody else beat his fastest time.

One problem is, the drivers in the fastest cars may hug these bonus points and prevent the midfield from the opportunity. Secondly, drivers may only choose to attempt to get the fastest lap at the end of the GP. I think Mercedes may use this to bolster up their shortfall to Ferrari to keep the fight close and drawn out. Redbull may attempt to use these bonuses to try to get into the mix with Mercedes. You can see how the midfield may lose out.

The other thing to bear in mind is that the fastest lap does not need to be qualifying level fast. When everyone is conserving engine life, it may simply fall to the fastest normal race lap [fastest slow lap]. With the low number of engine limitation, l doubt any team would sacrifice engine life for one point. We would expect to see real duel for fastest laps when engines are reaching their end of racing life.

Chances are, the fastest lap bonus may not bring any real excitement to spectators in its current format. I personally think, they should have made the bonus available to teams outside the points, to inspire backend teams to have the chance to earn points which may otherwise be impossible. I think it would energize the creativity and commitments of these teams. Thus, the fastest backend team would have an opportunity to win a share of the 21 points available from the bonus scheme.

What do you think?

[The Black Knight]

Farce. I’d much rather a point for pole position.

[Starter]

I'd like to see both. One point each for pole and fastest lap with no restrictions on when in the race it is set.

[COD]

Why limit it to top 10? Why not everyone who is classified as a finisher?

[Big Ben]

Farce. Just another gimmick. Let's have points for poles, best haircut and the fan boost too or how it's called in Formula E .

[The Black Knight]

Why limit it to top 10? Why not everyone who is classified as a finisher?

Because you’d have everyone outside the top 10 (sometimes even tenth place if he can garner an extra point) pitting for fresh tyres with two laps to go in an effort to set a qualifying lap.

[Starter]

Because you’d have everyone outside the top 10 (sometimes even tenth place if he can garner an extra point) pitting for fresh tyres with two laps to go in an effort to set a qualifying lap.

So? Even with fresh tires someone outside the top ten would be hard pressed to set fast lap. else they wouldn't be outside the top 10.

[COD]

Because you’d have everyone outside the top 10 (sometimes even tenth place if he can garner an extra point) pitting for fresh tyres with two laps to go in an effort to set a qualifying lap.

Exactly. Wouldn’t that achieve the extra exitement they are after?

[truefan72]

Because you’d have everyone outside the top 10 (sometimes even tenth place if he can garner an extra point) pitting for fresh tyres with two laps to go in an effort to set a qualifying lap.

I hear that argument, but I counter that everyone will have that option then, which willeither all cancel each other out or lead to some late race drama with 5 or 6 cars pitting and gunning for a fast lap
Maybe a good compromise would be top 15 or have the car complete at least 70% of the race distance
This will give all teams a real reason to fight and push the cars even more. Thus leading to a better show and interest up and down the grid
Remember that pit stops also take time which might not be worth the stop for some higher up the grid. Intrigue abound.

[Zico]

This is one new rule that I'm in two minds about.
Will it achieve its desired outcome of drivers putting really fast laps in towards the end of the race?
In most cases probably not that much faster than normal, ie; no qualy mode laps to avoid reducing its working life.

If it improves the spectacle then great, I have no problem with it... but if it doesn't really change anything its just a pointed pointless gimmick.

Time will tell..