Norris disappointed with FIA's decision despite being a recent victim of it
F1 News
Lando Norris wants to see the bonus World Championship point remain in place. On Thursday, the FIA confirmed no bonus points will be given out to the driver with the fastest lap during the 2025 Formula 1 season. This comes in the wake of Daniel Ricciardo taking a point from Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix. It meant Norris had a 52-point gap, rather than a 51-point gap.
The extra point for the fastest lap could prove crucial in deciding the title race in the 2024 F1 season. The McLaren driver needs every point he can get in the final six race weekends. However, he would not blame this rule even if he loses the title by one single point.
Would Norris blame Ricciardo for losing the F1 title?
"No, I wouldn't look at that as the reason. I'd probably put the blame down to other things this season that could have been better rather than Daniel in his final race getting a faster lap. It might come down to that in the end of the year, and if that's the case, then so be it," the McLaren driver said.
"I know it's just odd timing and people are quick to jump on things. But it depends. The circumstance of how it happened, I guess, is a unique one. Daniel knew it was his last race," he added. Norris stressed that he would only question it if it was a recurring phenomenon but does not think Ricciardo did anything wrong. "So the answer is no, I wouldn't blame it on this. It would be down to other reasons."
Does Norris want the fastest lap point scrapped?
Norris was then asked for his opinion on the decision to scrap the bonus point. The Brit was confused. "I have no idea, I don't know why they've done it." Norris isn't in favour of the decision because he "likes the way it is now". He hopes the decision hasn't been made on the back of what happened in Singapore.
"There's an opportunity to go for something else. Sometimes you pay the price for risking such a thing, and it's always been a risk in certain scenarios. If your pit stop goes wrong [for example]. The thing is, if it's such a case, like we had in Singapore or something like that, that's repetitive, I think it's the correct thing to do. I don't feel like they should change it just because of people questioning it after Singapore. It's got nothing to do with me."
This article has been created in collaboration with Nicole Mulder
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!