Formula One has announced that they intend – following approvals from several governing commissions – to change the 2019 scoring system by awarding a point to the driver who sets the fastest lap in a grand prix, in an effort to make Formula 1 more appealing and increase audiences.
The scoring system change is expected to be officially confirmed before the season-opening race 2019 Australian Grand Prix next weekend – although the strategy group of leading teams, F1 and FIA, and the F1 Commission, have yet to officially sign off on it, but that is expected to be a mere formality.
An additional caveat – the driver with the fastest lap will only be awarded the point if he also finishes in the top 10.
It will be the first time a point has been awarded for the fastest lap in the F1 World Championship since 1950-59.