This could spice things up a bit. Formula One are considering giving an extra point to whoever records the fastest lap of each Grand Prix this season, reintroducing an old rule which was last used in 1959. The move was approved at a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council yesterday, and now only needs to be rubber-stamped by the F1 Commission next week.
If passed, it will be in place for the first race of the season in Australia on March 17th.
Some fans have been clamouring for a rule such as this to be introduced for a number of years now, and it could add a bit of extra excitement to the latter stages of each grand prix this year. While drivers must finish in the top 10 in the race in order to be eligible to receive the extra point, it could have an impact in a close championship battle further down the road.
Mike Hawthorn famously finished a solitary point ahead of Stirling Moss to win the 1958 championship, having recorded more fastest laps throughout the season.The rule was removed from the sport only one year later in 1959.
This move has the potential to give all drivers something to fight for right up until the end of each race. It will be interesting to see how aggressive teams are in trying to earn an extra point, but it has the potential to add some extra excitement should the driver's or constructors' championship be neck and neck in the final weeks.
