Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 28
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Greenwich, London UK
    Posts
    3,437
    Like
    14
    Liked 789 Times in 651 Posts

    Fastest lap bonus - Farce or Fabulous

    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?
    Last edited by Nitrodaze; 12th March 2019 at 19:45.
    Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
    William Shakespeare

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    2,857
    Like
    62
    Liked 478 Times in 371 Posts
    Farce. I’d much rather a point for pole position.

  3. Likes: Jag_Warrior (5th October 2019)
  4. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    To the right of the left
    Posts
    3,746
    Like
    3
    Liked 141 Times in 111 Posts
    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.
    "Old roats am jake mit goats."
    -- Smokey Stover

  5. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Posts
    4,872
    Like
    319
    Liked 385 Times in 191 Posts
    Why limit it to top 10? Why not everyone who is classified as a finisher?

  6. Likes: Firstgear (13th March 2019),gm99 (12th March 2019),truefan72 (14th March 2019)
  7. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Oradea
    Posts
    2,637
    Like
    75
    Liked 137 Times in 110 Posts
    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 .

  8. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    2,857
    Like
    62
    Liked 478 Times in 371 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by COD View Post
    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.

  9. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    2,946
    Like
    173
    Liked 308 Times in 206 Posts
    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..

  10. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    To the right of the left
    Posts
    3,746
    Like
    3
    Liked 141 Times in 111 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by The Black Knight View Post
    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.
    "Old roats am jake mit goats."
    -- Smokey Stover

  11. Likes: COD (13th March 2019)
  12. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Posts
    4,872
    Like
    319
    Liked 385 Times in 191 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by The Black Knight View Post
    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?

  13. Likes: Firstgear (13th March 2019)
  14. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    2,857
    Like
    62
    Liked 478 Times in 371 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Starter View Post
    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.
    Not really. Saw McLarens set fastest laps on mew tires last year and year before - tires make a huge difference.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •