Oct 18,2024
Formula One bosses have taken the surprise decision to ditch the awarding of a bonus point for the fastest lap.
The FIA's move – announced ahead of this weekend’s US Grand Prix – comes after Daniel Ricciardo snatched the award away from championship contender Lando Norris at the previous round in Singapore.
Ricciardo was driving for RB – Red Bull’s junior side – with Max Verstappen bidding to win a fourth consecutive title for the senior team.
It proved to be Ricciardo’s final act in the sport – after the Australian was subsequently replaced by Liam Lawson – but the tactic heightened claims of collusion between the two teams, a suggestion Red Bull team principal Christian Horner denied.
The removal of the regulation will come into force next season meaning there are still 180 points to play for across the remaining six rounds.
McLaren driver Norris trails Verstappen by 52 points heading into this weekend’s event at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.
And the challenger believes he has been dealt a possible boost in his bid to end Verstappen's winning run after Red Bull were ordered to make changes to their car.
Rival teams claimed Red Bull have gained an advantage by running a contentious device which allowed them to adjust the setup of the car between qualifying and the race – something which is not prohibited in the sport's rules.
A senior team representative at Red Bull said: "Yes it (the device) exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to run.
"In the numerous correspondence we have with the FIA, this part came up and we have agreed a plan going forward."
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s US Grand Prix, McLaren’s Norris was asked whether the FIA’s move to intervene will hand the title advantage his way.
"If it has been helping them, and they have been utilising it in a way that people think they have, then maybe it will shift in our direction," he replied.
"But they wouldn’t have got several poles and wins because of such a device. I don’t think it will really change anything, but then when you look at the gaps in qualifying, and when the gap has been just hundredths of a second, then you might say this has helped.
"It is good that the FIA are doing such a thing. There is a difference between black and white stuff like this, and a difference between Formula One and pushing the boundaries and innovating. That is what we have done a very good job on, but been sure not to go any further than that."
Norris’ McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri said: "From what I heard, and I have been told, something like this is not pushing the boundaries, it is clearly breaking them."
Norris has taken 26 points out of Verstappen in the last four races. And there will be an additional eight points up for grabs in Austin with a sprint race on Saturday.
"After Singapore I wanted to keep going," said Norris. "We were in a good rhythm, and we have been for quite a while, but everyone needs a break, including my team. It is nice to reboot and put our heads down again.
"I have been happy with how things have gone and I am confident if we keep our heads down and keep pushing we can do it, we can close the gap, but it is not going to be easy.
"I need more than me first, and Max to finish second, but I cannot change that. I need to focus on myself and leave the rest to everyone else."
