F1 to Introduce Brand New Rule for 2019 Season

The 2019 F1 season is just around the corner and still the FIA are pushing to introduce new changes for the upcoming season. The latest addition to the 2019 rules is that drivers can now score a point for setting the fastest lap during a race.

According to RaceFans, since there is just under two weeks before the opening round, it is cutting it very fine. However, a proposal explaining the reason for the change will be presented at the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Geneva.

If the WMSC approves of it, a majority vote from F1’s Strategy Group will be undertaken, This will be followed by a unanimous F1 Commission approval via e-votes. Only then will the WMSC give the green light to the regulation change.

According to some sources, F1 commercial rights holder Liberty Media did some research, Their findings revealed that fans favour such changes as it has the potential to ‘spice up’ a race towards the end.

Initially, Liberty Media toyed with the idea of awarding points for pole position. However, the concept was soon dropped. This was concerns were raised that a driver who needs a single point to clinch a world championship could only give his all on a Saturday. In turn, it would diminish the importance of Sunday’s race.

“What happens in the race on Sunday is paramount,” RaceFans’ source revealed. “Nothing should detract from that.”

If approval does not come in a timely manner, the change could be postponed the 2020 F1 season. As it stands, 2020’s rules only needs a 70 per cent majority ‘for’ vote from the F1 Commission.

Back in Formula 1’s first decade, points were awarded for fastest lap, so F1 is no stranger to the concept. Interestingly, if this rule was implemented in 2018, Valtteri Bottas could have leapfrogged Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen in the championship.

Interestingly, a new condition has been added that only a driver in the top 10 is eligible for the fastest lap point.