
Sneaky way Zhou DENIED Gasly fastest lap point in Bahrain
Sneaky way Zhou DENIED Gasly fastest lap point in Bahrain

The prize for setting the fastest lap in F1 is a single world championship point, so why did Zhou Guanyu not receive this at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
F1 is a sport is fine margins with title disputes sometimes decided by just a handful of points.
In the midfield, where teams often find themselves scrapping for the less valuable points at the lower end of the top 10, things are often even closer.
F1 2023 fastest lap rules
The fastest lap point was reintroduced in 2019 but in this short time have undergone a number of small changes.
READ MORE: F1 2023 drivers' standings post-Bahrain Grand Prix
For instance, in 2022, it was confirmed that a point would only be awarded for this accolade if over 50 per cent of the scheduled race distance had been completed.
The added catch is that in order to claim the point, the driver must also finish in the top 10.
In Bahrain, Zhou finished 16th, second last of those still running at the end.
Why did Alfa Romeo go for the fastest lap?
As mentioned, the F1 midfield is an extremely tight competition and no team wants to hand a rival any form of advantage, however small that may be at the time.
In Bahrain, Alpine driver Pierre Gasly held the fastest lap with just two laps to go. Lapping in ninth, the Frenchman would have been awarded the extra point.
In order to ensure this did not happen, Alfa Romeo stopped Zhou with two laps remaining and sent him out on soft tyres. With a low fuel load, a clean lap would all but ensure that he would set a new benchmark time.
The goal here was not to score a point, Alfa Romeo would have known this was not possible, but to take one away from Alpine.
READ MORE: F1 Schedule 2023: Dates, times and TV details for all races
Related news

Struggling F1 star WARNED there is 'no more room for mistakes'

F1 team set to unveil surprise name change with tradition broken

F1 team announces departure with leaving message

F1 team to scrap 2023 design after tough season
Most read

Hamilton hits waves with Ferrari rival as F1 stars pictured on break

Surprise F1 name tipped to partner Verstappen at Red Bull

F1 News Today: Verstappen makes Ricciardo accusation as Horner issues worrying Mercedes verdict

F1 News Today: Wolff brutally plays down huge Mercedes decision as Perez raises alarm over employee welfare

Ricciardo opens up on shock F1 retirement call
F1 Standings

Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
-
Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860