Formula 1 has finally explained why the fastest lap bonus point was removed for the 2025 season, admitting that the rule had become "controversial."
In October, the FIA's World Motor Sport Council ratified the decision to scrap the extra point, which was previously awarded to a driver finishing inside the top 10 who set the fastest lap.
However, no formal reason was given at the time.
Many speculated that the move was linked to a controversial moment in the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, where McLaren's Lando Norris lost a crucial point in his championship battle with Max Verstappen.
During that race, Daniel Ricciardo made a late pit stop for fresh tyres in his Racing Bulls car and set the fastest lap—taking the point away from Norris, even though Ricciardo himself was outside the top 10 and did not score.
"You know, it was Daniel's last race but it was also something to take away from me," Norris said at the time.
"If it was done with intent, then it's obviously not what we agree with. And I don't think something that Formula 1 would agree with either."
Months later, F1 has now confirmed that concerns over similar incidents influenced the rule change.
In an official statement on its website, the sport explained:
"Since 2019, a driver finishing in the top 10 could earn a bonus point by setting the fastest lap of the race. Sometimes that meant drivers would still be pushing late on trying to take the accolade, or even make late pitstops for fresh rubber to increase their return.
"But it also opened up the possibility for a car outside the top 10 to pit and take the point away from another driver, even if they weren't going to score themselves. And with the bonus sometimes proving a controversial topic, the decision was taken to remove it from the scoring system this year."
