Formula 1 motorsport director Ross Brawn says the Chinese Grand Prix vindicated the decision to reintroduce a bonus point for fastest lap this year.
“I was particularly pleased to see that the innovation introduced in partnership with the FIA for this season, that of awarding a point to the driver setting the fastest race lap, is beginning to have an effect,” said Brawn after Sunday’s race.Pierre Gasly scored the bonus point after making an extra pit stop with three laps to go in order to change tyres.
“The lure of an extra point, as long as it’s set by a driver who is in the top 10 at the flag, was driven by the desire to add a bit of spice to the final stages of a race, especially when the order seems more or less set,” said Brawn. “China worked out just that way.
“The top six positions more or less decided, but with Pierre Gasly a healthy amount of time clear of Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo, his Red Bull team decided to exploit the opportunity that gap gave for a free pit stop. They pitted the Frenchman for a set of soft tyres and sent him on his way for a crack at the fastest lap.
“It was great to watch the timing screens on the penultimate lap, seeing Gasly post personal bests in all three sectors to eventually steal the fastest lap from Sebastian Vettel.
“Prior to Gasly’s stop, you could also listen to other drivers discussing their options in the closing stages with their team on the pit wall, even though none of them took any extreme risks. This was a rule invented to please the fans and I think that today we saw that it really works.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2019 F1 season
- Crying in the Melbourne car park at 2019 grand prix was my career low – Ocon
- McLaren Racing reports reduced £71 million loss in 2019
- Kvyat: Hockenheim podium last year was “my biggest achievement” so far
- How the FIA’s new encrypted fuel flow meter targets Ferrari’s suspected ‘aliasing’ trick
- “He smashed my office door”: 23 must-see moments from ‘Drive to Survive’ season two
Kris Lord
16th April 2019, 16:58
I still hate it.
This was exactly what I was worried was happen.
It’s a competition between about 2-3 drivers who have a gap behind them doing a fast lap on new tyres when their competition are doing what their mean to, trying to win a 50-70 lap race.
If it means more genuine 2 stops rather than 1 stops it won’t be bad, but I don’t want to see pit stops 2 laps from the end.
BlackJackFan
16th April 2019, 17:11
I have to say I’ve missed this feature since it was previously abolished but… I also now have to admit I’m not happy with the way it’s working out…
melkurion (@melkurion)
16th April 2019, 17:29
I still think it is early days. Now the impact of the fastest lap point doesn’t seem so significant to drivers and teams. But imagine a scenario, 3 races to go, just a few points separating several drivers, then people might genuinely have a go at it in a racing scenario . Look at the conclusion of 2016. All Rosberg had to do for the final 4 races was come in second , which he dully did, and won the championship by 5 points. 5 fastest laps over the course of a season, just imagine hamilton had taken 2 more of those during the season then rosberg. All of a sudden lewis can win by doing what he did (winning those 4 races) and taking those fastest laps. Rosberg knows this and has to respond accordingly.
I think there is still a lot of untapped potential in the fastest lap point. I agree the way gasly did it was the fastest lap point at it’s most bland. But give it time
bosyber (@bosyber)
16th April 2019, 18:13
That sounds like an interesting scenario @melkurion, let’s hope the flap point does turn out like that.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
16th April 2019, 21:32
Agree. It’s a pointless one point gimmick.
If Liberty and Brawn really want to make the fastest lap something exciting, dole out 10 points for it. Then everyone in the top 6 will be incentivised to have an extra unnecessary pitstop.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
20th April 2019, 6:08
Indeed, 10 points are more like it, 40% of what you get from a win.
Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
16th April 2019, 17:13
While I didn’t mind it during the first two races and it went to a worthy driver, this time around this looked like a one point consolation price for the worst driver of the top teams.
Green Flag (@greenflag)
17th April 2019, 16:26
RB did it to take the point away from VET to help VER and RB’s constructors tally. Every point counts. FLAP points will become more valuable towards the end of the season and will prove to be one of F1’s better innovations.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
16th April 2019, 17:26
I suspect we can expect plenty of statements like this from Mr Brawn throughout the season on various subjects.
BlackJackFan
17th April 2019, 2:50
agree 100%
Gabriel (@rethla)
16th April 2019, 17:41
It would work if the last of the top 6 didnt always have a free pitstop in the race….
Gabriel (@rethla)
16th April 2019, 17:44
Also what is the “top ten” rule trying to achieve? If any of the cars at the bottom are able to beat an top 6 car on fresh tyres they deserve a point more than anyone else on the grid.
mzso (@mzso)
16th April 2019, 17:58
It prevents back-midfielders from not trying to go for the top 10 only circling around and trying to do the best lap. (Well, for now it’s only theoretical because they’re so far behind.)
Clay_T
16th April 2019, 19:39
I think it would add spice to the race if they let any car be rewarded for fast lap.
You know some egos are going to be bruised if a F1.5 car gets a point for turning a quicker lap than the “A” teams.
It might even motivate them to try and save face.
Dewald Nel (@ho3n3r)
17th April 2019, 6:30
P7-10 are also F1.5 positions, so it could still happen regardless.
Gabriel (@rethla)
17th April 2019, 11:23
@ho3n3r But F1.5 in P7-10 doesnt get free pitstops like P6 gets.
Patrick
16th April 2019, 20:54
@rethla Good points. It would be better to limit it to the top 5 – less chance of a sizeable enough gap for a late race pit stop.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
20th April 2019, 6:10
Useless, there will be races with only 5 top cars left in the race, or even 4 or 3.
DAllein (@)
16th April 2019, 17:59
*facepalm*
Mr.Brawn, it was the worst thing of Chinese GP! Wake up!
DAllein (@)
16th April 2019, 18:03
Just to clarify:
– from top 10 no one else bothered;
– Gasly’s achievement only is in his position, which allowed for free pitstop.
– the time he showed was totally unspectacular, irrelevant to race result and demonstration of personal skills.
Islander
16th April 2019, 20:12
@DAllein
You’re right, but Gasley had to get the extra point or he would have stayed below Kimi in the standings…. that’s the reason RB bothered.
stefan
17th April 2019, 9:17
I thought it was done to take a point away from Ferrari not to get a point for GAS. VET is really close to VER one point could make a difference.
ColdFly (@)
16th April 2019, 18:21
I really likes it, and it worked perfectly in China.
Fastest Lap is a real thing, and it doesn’t matter that a driver has fresh tyres, as it doesn’t matter if the driver has less fuel or drives a diva of a car. The fastest lap is exactly what it says it is.
I don’t mind who gets it either; how can you even say one driver deserves it more than another.
And I like the added storyline of discussions with the pit, the excitement of a pitstop, and following the timesheets if it will be broken.
At least one happy fan ;)
ColdFly (@)
16th April 2019, 18:24
*liked
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
17th April 2019, 10:10
@coldfly – make that two happy fans, nice to see a driver that had nothing to push for – push for a point.
I would like it extended to the full field rather than the top 10 though – maybe encourage more drivers / teams to give it a punt. The last few laps of the race *can* be a little processional so if the lower ranked teams think they have a shot too – I’m all for it.
Robbie (@robbie)
17th April 2019, 13:19
I’m fine with it too.
RB13
17th April 2019, 14:03
@coldfly I full agree with you.
God forbid we’re now awarding points for F1 drivers *gasp* DRIVING AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, oh the horror.
What should have happened was Leclerc also trying to salvage something meaningful from this race and proving a point in the process however his pit wall seemed determined to make him score as few points as possible to let finger boy creep ahead in the standings. It would have been level pegging had they allowed him to go for the FLAP.
Proteus (@proteus)
17th April 2019, 15:57
Why not giving a point for the best groomed driver as well. Why not to push as hard as you can in personal apperance, brush youre teeth, get a fresh shave, shower yourself with finest lavender shampoo, and spice yourself with finest bottle of parfume instead of being all neglected looking while racing. Racing drivers must looka nd smell sharp too.
Will we get points for best dressed mechanics as well….
Mike (@mrvco)
16th April 2019, 19:31
So the net is ‘fastest lap point makes otherwise boring, uninspired races acceptable’.
Darryn Smith (@darryn)
16th April 2019, 19:47
“I was particularly pleased to see that the innovation introduced in partnership with the FIA for this season, that of awarding a point to the driver setting the fastest race lap, is beginning to have an effect,”.
Innovation? Partnership with the FIA? Get this cheat out of here like they did with Flavio. So sick of this guys nonsense.
BlackJackFan
17th April 2019, 2:52
+2
NS Biker (@rekibsn)
16th April 2019, 20:28
Just waiting for the situation where one driver, leading another, slows to back him up so there isn’t enough gap to pit for tyres to go for the FL. Then Ross, we will see some excitement. Yeah….!!
There will likely be more strategy applied to preventing someone getting the extra point than there will be to actually winning the point. What was Red Bull’s comment …. something along the line, “we prevented Ferrari picking up the point for FL.”
JohnH (@johnrkh)
18th April 2019, 10:48
@rekibsn Exactly.
Thomas Bennett (@felipemassadobrasil)
16th April 2019, 20:41
Well, it works in that you give a point to the person with the fastest lap.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
16th April 2019, 21:22
It’s a consolation prize for whoever is 6th and has the gap. Besides, if the race hadn’t been THAT boring, no one would’ve realized Red bull were going for it. It wasn’t even discussed at Bahrain because the race was dramatic in itself.
Gasly setting this meaningless fastest lap was as exciting as being punched in the face or falling down the stairs. It was a fitting end to a rubbish race…
Meanwhile, those that cannot afford a free pitstop were having the race of their lives and we hardly saw them. Albon was holding off Grosjean and Perez was putting pressure on Danny Ric… And we have all this exciting moments uploaded to YouTube 48 hours after the Grand Prix because why show them during the race?? No, we have Gasly who had been outpaced by everyone in the top 5 by a mile pitting for fresh tyres so he scores a free point!!!!! Isn’t that great????!!!
Ross, I’m deeply disappointed in you so far…
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
17th April 2019, 0:54
You pretty much nailed it.
There were a heap of battles going on further down the field that we saw very little of.
As for discussions about fastest lap – we used to hear those well before there was any “point” on offer. They’re now just making sure the radio feeds about them are broadcast more often.
If this is what we can expect from Ross, it’s hard to be confident about the 2019 regulations.
imhotep222 (@imhotep222)
17th April 2019, 8:53
@fer-no65 it wasn’t discussed in Bahrain because the race finished behind the safety car…
juan fanger (@juan-fanger)
16th April 2019, 22:33
Would have preferred to see Russell or Kubica try to do a “qualifying” lap and get a point. Would have been far more satisfying if they’d been allowed to do that, rather than Gasly’s freeby.
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
17th April 2019, 10:40
@juan-fanger – Unfortunately for Williams – they would need to finish in the top 10 to qualify for a fastest lap point (as well as being fastest over a lap).
juan fanger (@juan-fanger)
17th April 2019, 22:29
Yes, @ahxshades that is exactly my point. Make it available to all teams, not just the top 6.
rpaco
19th April 2019, 9:44
+1
However engine life must be shortened by deliberately going for fastest lap.
ADUB SMALLBLOCK (@waptraveler)
16th April 2019, 23:40
How does this show it works? Did it create more racing? No, because if the driver is in a battle, he won’t take a pit stop to do this! Might as well have a lottery for the driver (in the top 10, oh, of course) who can build the greatest gap, he gets the point! Yep, we’ll all be on the edge of our seats following that!
Dale
16th April 2019, 23:56
How did it work?
What did it work at doing?
It was a great example of how “pointless” the rule really is …
Phylyp (@phylyp)
17th April 2019, 1:40
Brawn, I once respected you.
BlackJackFan
17th April 2019, 2:55
+1
Proteus (@proteus)
17th April 2019, 15:51
Could not agree more.
vjanik (@vjanik)
17th April 2019, 9:31
Please Mr Brawn. Dont add too much chili.
Proteus (@proteus)
17th April 2019, 15:51
No it actually is not working. One guy went for it and got it, and so far only top three teams taken them so surprise surprise they are evne further ahead then others. Instead of real racing we are getting this fake BS and they are trying to convince us its great.
FE is the great example how to stupidify racing to god level. Cant watch more than a minute with all that crappy fanboosts and other silly nonsense.
If you want to ruin F1, its fine with me, but atleast have the decency to establish another one besides it, call it Jurrasic F1 if you like and allow it to have normal engines, unlimited amounts of engines/gearboxes, fuel and tyres and let the drivers race. The soft millenials can watch this modern circus of F1, and those who like real racing will watch the Jurrasic F1.
And i dare to take a bet at any time that Jurrasic F1 would be more interesting for fans as for sponsors as well.