After the controversies following the Singapore Grand Prix, when doubts arose about Racing Bulls‘ decision to attempt the fastest lap at the end of the race with Daniel Ricciardo—effectively denying an additional point to Lando Norris and benefiting the parent company Red Bull—the FIA World Council wasted no time in reviewing the rule.
During the latest meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, several changes were confirmed regarding the regulations for 2024, as well as for the upcoming season and 2026, when Formula 1 will undergo a significant technical revolution, both in terms of Power Units and the aerodynamics of the cars.
The most important news is undoubtedly the decision to completely remove the rule that awards an additional point for the fastest lap if the driver finishes in the top ten. Rather than modifying the rule, which would have complicated finding solutions for all possible scenarios, it was decided to eliminate it entirely from next season’s sporting regulations.
“The World Council has approved some minor changes to the sporting and technical regulations for 2024 and 2025, including the removal of the point awarded for the fastest lap,” reads the statement released by the Federation announcing the decision.
The point for the fastest lap was introduced in 2019 to add an extra element of excitement, but it clearly did not live up to expectations, often going to drivers who had the opportunity to pit for new tires without losing a position during the stop. Furthermore, it opened up strategic options for teams to try to deny their direct rivals the extra point, a theme that became particularly evident in the recent Singapore race.
Starting from the 2025 season, Formula 1 will eliminate the extra point, restoring the maximum of 25 points for winning a race as the only points a driver can earn in a Grand Prix.
Changes to FP1 for Young Drivers
The WMSC also approved plans to double the opportunities for young drivers to participate during the season. Beginning in 2025, teams will be required to assign one FP1 session on Fridays to a rookie twice during the season, for each car. This means that while up to 2024 each team had to field a debutant in two FP1 sessions total throughout the championship—one for each car—in 2025, this requirement will be doubled. Each debutant will need to participate in two practice sessions for each car, effectively substituting the official drivers four times.
This move follows the cancellation of a planned sprint race for rookies in the Abu Dhabi post-season tests for 2024, but it is being considered for 2025, providing rookies with more consistent running in F1 cars, even for teams lacking the resources to conduct a TPC program with cars older than two years.
Revised and Simplified Regulations for 2026
As discussed in the latest F1 Commission, the World Council approved a series of changes and refinements to the new technical regulations for F1 in 2026, which have been revised based on feedback from the teams, who were dissatisfied with the draft released by the FIA last June. The sporting regulations have also been revised and will be simplified compared to the current structure: the initial idea was to review them in 2022, but due to the significance of the technical changes, it was decided to postpone the rewrite.
In 2026, however, the regulations will be simplified to make it easier for teams to navigate the various articles. Additionally, measures have been added to regulate the energy management of the 2026 Power Units and the management of adjustable aerodynamics, which includes the use of “straight mode” (low aerodynamic drag) and “corner mode” (high downforce).
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