Formula 1 scraps rule after Daniel Ricciardo act sparked anger
Daniel Ricciardo’s controversial final act in Formula 1 has prompted a rule change after complaints were made in public.
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Daniel Ricciardo’s final act in Formula 1 has prompted officials to scrap the divisive fastest lap bonus point rule.
Formula 1’s governing body, the International Motoring Federation (FIA), announced on Friday morning the bonus point will not be awarded in 2025.
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The bonus point was awarded originally in the 1950s, but then dropped before being reintroduced in 2019 for the lap, if the driver finishes in the top ten.
The FIA made the announcement ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix among several changes to the 2024 and 2025 sporting and technical regulations.
The significance of the fastest lap was shown at last month’s Singapore Grand Prix where RB’s sacked Australian driver Ricciardo pitted for new tyres to set the fastest lap in his final race.
RB are a sister team to Red Bull and the move deprived rivals like McLaren and their title-challenging driver Lando Norris of a possible additional point.
Norris held the fastest lap and bonus point as the race entered its final laps. Ricciardo was 18th and not eligible to score a bonus point, but he was called to pit and duly set the lap, depriving Norris of a point.
Red Bull’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen is in a heated championship battle with Norris and McLaren were not happy that it was Red Bull’s junior outfit that cost the Briton the bonus point.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said he found the strategy “a little peculiar”.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown after the race took aim at Red Bull having two teams on the grid.
“This... is of big concern to us and the health of the sport and the fairness of the sport,” he said.
Ricciardo said after the race: “If Max wins (the championship) by a point, I’ve guaranteed myself a nice Christmas present”.
“It was maybe to have one last crack at doing a fast one if it (his career) is to be it.”
Ricciardo’s sacking was confirmed days later when RB confirmed Kiwi Liam Lawson would replace Ricciardo for the final six races of the year.
Ricciardo has since been linked with moves to NASCAR and even Australia’s Supercars category.
In another change to FIA regulations, a requirement to run a young driver during free practice is to increase from once per car per season to twice per car per season.
— with AFP
Originally published as Formula 1 scraps rule after Daniel Ricciardo act sparked anger
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