Formula 1 rule change: Verstappen & Co. might not like that at all!
Austin (USA) - A change that has an impact on the title race - and could even decide a world championship in the end.
Formula 1 returns after the four-week fall break with a real bang. In a complete surprise, it was announced that the bonus point for the fastest race lap will be abolished from the start of the 2025 season.
The abolition of the special classification, which was revived just a few years ago, was announced yesterday evening by the World Motor Sport Council of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in the French capital Paris.
No reason was given for the decision, although fans of the premier motorsport class would almost certainly have known the reasons for the rule change.
Formula 1 hammer out of nowhere! Bonus point is abolished
The point was an integral part of the regulations, albeit with a 60-year absence.
In 1950, the additional point was introduced for the driver with the fastest race lap in a Grand Prix - but was banned again nine years later. The renaissance followed in 2019.
The only condition that applies until the end of the season: the best time alone is not enough, the driver must also have finished in the top ten.
However, the racing drivers do not yet have to deal with the new regulations and can fully focus on driving - and they can do so this weekend.
Fall break over, motorsport premier class picks up speed again
Constructors from the ten teams have had four weeks to tinker with the cars, and now the newly installed upgrade packages must deliver the hoped-for success at the Circuit of The Americas.
The race weekend in the US state of Texas also marks the start of the decisive phase of the season! The focus will be on three-time world champion Max Verstappen (27) and McLaren rival Lando Norris (24).
The 27-year-old Dutchman currently enjoys a comfortable 52-point lead over the runner-up, but is likely to feel the breath of his three-year-younger rival breathing down his neck. Norris has been in impressive form of late and could close the gap on the Red Bull driver once again with another brilliant performance.
The sprint race will take place next Saturday evening (8pm), followed just one day later (9pm) by the main race and the associated showdown between MCL38 and the reigning world number one.