Daniel Ricciardo setting the quickest lap within the Singapore GP reopened the controversy in regards to the rule that awards one additional level to the driving force who units it.
The Australian’s late change to tender tyres allowed him to steal the quickest lap from dominant race winner Lando Norris, who was set to get the bonus level earlier than the ultimate lap.
The transfer reignited the controversy a couple of rule that might show very important because the McLaren driver tries to maintain decreasing the hole to Max Verstappen within the standings.
So ought to the additional level keep in F1 or is it an pointless complication? Our writers debate.
The purpose rule ought to keep, however be tweaked – Jonathan Noble
When a world championship battle turns into as shut because it appears to be this 12 months, it’s inevitable that the scrap for each single level will grow to be extra intense.
That’s the reason RB’s resolution to let Daniel Ricciardo gun for quickest lap in what appears prone to have been his last F1 race in Singapore proved so controversial – as a result of it meant that Lando Norris was robbed of what may very well be a vital factors bonus.
It’s a situation that has inevitably reignited the doom-mongers’ fears of a world title being determined by some fastest-lap shenanigans in Abu Dhabi, and renewed requires the additional level on provide to be scrapped.
However, whereas there’s admittedly a threat of a controversial end to the season if spoiler ways get rolled out, that isn’t a adequate purpose to eliminate a facet of F1 that has labored fairly effectively because it was re-introduced in 2019.
In reality, speaking solely in regards to the quickest lap spoiling a title decider is a glass-half-empty perspective.
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Workforce VCARB 01
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
The potential for a spoiler quickest lap tactic to affect the world championship is definitely no better and no extra controversial than a staff letting one other driver acquire an additional level via observe place, and even being intentionally retired to assist a team-mate who’s operating eleventh transfer up a spot and get the additional level wanted anyway.
Plus, the mathematical actuality is that having that single additional level accessible, it may very well be what makes the distinction between having a title finale or not.
Lando Norris may very well be 26 factors adrift of Max Verstappen leaving the Qatar Grand Prix this 12 months and nonetheless arrange the prospect of an thrilling thriller in Abu Dhabi.
If that bonus level did not exist, then the title battle can be carried out earlier anyway – which certainly just isn’t a greater consequence for F1.
The quickest lap bonus has added an additional dynamic to races and, whereas actually not good in providing up alternatives for drivers who’re lucky to have huge gaps behind them in races, it does present some added intrigue on the finish of races in figuring out who desires to threat going for it or not.
And there are even occasions when, as Norris did in Zandvoort, the driving force takes it upon themselves to go for it even when the staff doesn’t need them to.
Saying all that, I do suppose that F1 ought to probably think about a rule change that if anybody exterior the highest ten finishers weapons for the quickest lap, the precise level nonetheless goes to the driving force inside the high ten who has the quickest lap among the many factors scorers.
That may cease as soon as and for all any video games exterior the highest ten the place there actually isn’t any draw back to bolting on some tender tyres proper on the finish.
We have no idea proper now if the future of the 2024 crown will rely upon a quickest lap or not, however as McLaren staff boss Andrea Stella fairly rightly mentioned: “I believe we simply should work more durable to be sure that this does not come down to some extent…”
The rule must be dropped – Oleg Karpov
No matter the actual purpose behind the RB staff permitting Daniel Ricciardo to set the quickest lap of the Singapore GP, it solely highlights the necessity for F1 to rethink considered one of its most illogical guidelines.
Even when it wasn’t Christian Horner texting Laurent Mekies within the closing levels of the race, begging the Crimson Bull sister staff boss to nick the quickest lap from Lando Norris, it is merely unacceptable for F1 to nonetheless have this rule. Not less than not with the present components and these Pirelli tyres.
It in all probability made much more sense within the days of the tyre conflict, when Michelin and Bridgestone tyres have been so sturdy that they not solely lasted the complete race distance however have been adequate for drivers to push from begin to end. However now?
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Workforce VCARB 01
Photograph by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Photos
Here is the horrifying situation. What if Norris does certainly handle to shut the hole to Max Verstappen and maintain his championship hopes alive – after which leads the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
What if he units the quickest lap, however does not have the posh of a free pitstop to placed on new softs to ensure it? And what if Crimson Bull merely pits Sergio Perez to steal that quickest lap – and that is sufficient to tip the championship battle in Verstappen’s favour? And what if all of it occurs within the last lap of the grand prix?
And that is not even the craziest situation. What if it is not even Perez, however Zhou Guanyu? What if Sauber determined to let him rejoice the tip of his three-year profession by setting the quickest lap in his last F1 race? Should you suppose Abu Dhabi 2021 was a catastrophe for F1, suppose once more.
In fact, the probability of this taking place could be very low (or is it?), however nonetheless, there’s simply no purpose for this rule to exist, just because it is so random. Fairly often it rewards somebody with a degree who has simply had a horrible weekend in an excellent automobile. What number of occasions have we seen a staff pit a driver who’s simply obtained a large enough hole to the automobile behind – simply to get that time?
Most of the time, it is the driving force from one of many high groups who find yourself having a horrible weekend, dropping any probability of competing with the remainder of the highest group – however his automobile is quick sufficient to make up a ample hole to the midfield. Why does F1 reward such performances?
It may be good. Generally it provides intrigue. And Norris’ quickest lap at Zandvoort was one thing particular – I completely get that. However once more, when the best strategy to get the quickest lap is to pit for a set of softs proper on the finish of the race, it simply does not make sense.
Would not or not it’s extra logical to reward the quickest lap, which is the one that actually counts? What about giving a degree for pole place – if it is a straight battle about who’s the quickest man on the market, with out all these further elements? For me, that may be much more logical than what F1 has now…
