Glossary
Fastest lap in F1
Answer
The fastest lap is the quickest single lap any driver sets during the race. It carries one bonus championship point, but only if the driver who sets it finishes in the top ten. Teams often fit fresh soft tyres late in a race to chase it, though only when doing so will not risk track position.
The bonus point
A single championship point is awarded for the fastest lap of the race, on one condition: the driver who sets it must finish inside the top ten. If a car outside the top ten sets the fastest lap, no one gets the point that race[1]. See how F1 points work.
How teams chase it
- A driver well clear, or safely inside the points, may pit late for fresh soft tyres to set a flying lap.
- It is only worth doing when the extra stop or the push will not cost track position to a rival.
- There is no fastest-lap bonus point in a Sprint race[1].
Related terms
Sources
- [1]How does F1's points system work? (the-race). Accessed 2026-06-18.
Published 2026-06-18