F1 fans react to plans to introduce points for fastest lap

Less than a fortnight out from the start of the 2019 season and Formula 1 could be set for a pretty sizable rule change. With teams going through final preparations for the campaign, news - first reported by racefans.net - landed that F1 teams are set for a vote on awarding a point to the driver who sets the fastest lap in each grand prix.

According to multiple reports, the extra point would only be awarded to a driver who finishes in the top 10 of the classification.

With Liberty Media having just this week insisted that gimmicks will not be introduced to F1 in an attempt to boost audiences, the revelation has been met with a mixed response.

Here we round up some of the best reactions. You can let us know your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter.

THE POSITIVE

After giving it a bit more thought, I honestly don’t mind F1 awarding a point to the fastest lap. It’s like the power stage in the WRC. — Ron (@roncharls4) March 8, 2019

Glad that #F1 are introducing 1 point for fastest lap. It works well in other formulas and gives Williams something to aim for... but also miss by quite a long way. — Joseph Parsons (@posephjarsons) March 8, 2019

So F1 is to bring in a point for fastest lap from Australia 2019. Fantastic news and absolutely the right direction. Will bring in the occasional Qualy effort during the races. — F1autographs (@F1autographs) March 8, 2019

THE NEGATIVE

Nah I don't like fastest lap points at all. You shouldn't get the same points for finishing 9th as 10th with a slight strategy change. Fastest laps are meaningless anyway and I'd hate to see a title decided by a driver giving up a place to stop another's fastest lap — Ruaraidh ???? (@racecraftblog) March 6, 2019

In the 100 races of the hybrid era, three non-Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull drivers would have scored the extra point for the fastest lap:

Kvyat - Spain 2016 (10th)
Bottas - Russia 2014 (3rd)
Perez - Austria 2014 (6th) — Pablo Elizalde (@EliGP) March 8, 2019

I would prefer 1 point for pole
Could make the championship uneven if the winner also has the fastest lap getting a total of 26 points instead — Jordan Symonds (SFP) (@officialsymonds) March 8, 2019

A point for fastest lap in F1 has just been approved.

Shaking my head, leave the rules as they are stop bringing in cheap little gimmicks like this it's not Nascar.

Hybrid engines, the halo, drs, no refuelling, tyres you can't push hard on now this?!

Disappointed. — Mark C Watling (@markycw5) March 8, 2019

There is no way points should be awarded for fastest lap if no points are awarded for pole position !!
Pole is more important than fastest lap & to award points for fastest lap is an insult, especially as any team at the back can pit & bolt on new tyres to take the points — joff hall (@joffa81) March 6, 2019

This is so stupid. Will just promote more fuel saving and less racing. Honestly don’t think the people in charge even watch this sport.

F1 to award point to driver who sets fastest lap in a Grand Prix https://t.co/fHEZPtj8tj — Jacob Lee (@JacobLeeDesign) March 8, 2019

So f1 bosses want to give points for the fastest lap in the gp in the hope it will increase audiences try putting it on free to air telly again if you want bigger audiences — Lloyd white (@saintsfanwhitey) March 8, 2019

A point for fastest lap, what a bloody farce! @F1

At least it could have been for qualifying, but fastest lap is just ridiculous. — Chris Bradford (@chrismuzi87) March 8, 2019

@F1 if giving 1 point to the fastest lap driver is happening how about stopping 'celebrities' from waving the chequered flag. As we saw at the Canadian GP some have no clue what is going on! Ricciardo should have been fastest but his lap didn't count. — Karen White (@kazababes) March 8, 2019

AND ONE THAT JUST MADE US LAUGH

F1: "We grant 1 point for fastest lap of the race"

Williams: *studies 4 stops strategy with GIGAsoft compounds*

F1: "IF you end up in top ten."

Williams: pic.twitter.com/q5mW3uTo3a — Formula Humor (@FormulaHumor) March 8, 2019