Drivers suggest alternative to point for fastest lap: 'Give it for that'
F1 News
- Estéban den Toom
From next season, the driver setting the fastest lap of the race will no longer receive an additional point. When asked about the change at the FIA press conference, Carlos Sainz, Esteban Ocon and Kevin Magnussen will not miss having the chance to earn one more point on Sundays.
First, Carlos Sainz began about the aforementioned change. "I always had the opinion that it was a not needed point in the point system of Formula 1, mainly because of how it is achieved. Right now that point goes to the one that has a free pit stop one lap to the end of the race, so it's not showing who is the fastest guy in the race, and he deserves one point for being the fastest guy," the Spaniard answered before FP1 in Austin.
Point in Formula 1 for pole position?
Rather than getting a point for the fastest lap, drivers would prefer scoring with taking pole positions. "Pole position is something that, at least in Formula 1, is given a lot of value. Qualifying is something that media people give a lot of importance to. And obviously, as drivers in qualifying, we like being the fastest because it shows you you've maybe have done the cleanest lap, you've taken maybe more risks, you've put everything on the line to go on pole, and a point for that in a tight field makes sense," Sainz continued.
The Ferrari driver can count on Ocon's support. "I agree with Carlos. I think for us drivers, being on pole, it's something very important to us, and to all of you guys, it is something that we put a lot of effort you into, and that is very rewarding in the the race. We race to win. We don't necessarily race to be fastest on one lap. I never thought that this is a good thing to have one point for the race, but for pole position, it would be much more rewarding and that's something I would prefer," explained the Frenchman.
Magnussen remained short on the matter. "Not a whole lot to add. From the perspective of a midfield team, I think it's something that very rarely is on our mind. If we're in top 10, even if you're P6, P7, it's very rare that you will have a pit stop gap to go with what Carlos says. For us, it's never been relevant," concluded the Dane.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
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