Changes for the 2025 season include the removal of the bonus point awarded for setting the fastest lap in a Grand Prix, along with an increase in the requirement of fielding a ‘young driver’ during free practice from once per season to twice.
Changes for the 2025 season include the removal of the bonus point awarded for setting the fastest lap in a Grand Prix, along with an increase in the requirement of fielding a ‘young driver’ during free practice from once per season to twice.
I agree 100%.
RIC was used by Red Bull to steal that point in order to tip the balance in their favour. That one point means that VER can finish second in every coming (sprint)race and still win the WDC. If NOR had gotten that point, he would be WDC no matter what, if he would go on to win every coming (sprint)race, even if VER took 2nd every time.
So it was an important point. NOR needs something extra now to win. It is not only up to him anymore.
Mekies tried to make us believe that they wanted to give RIC a proud farewell, but what they actually did, was to show that RIC and VCARB are still Red Bull’s little removedes. There was no honour in that fastest lap. It was a hand puppet action. RIC’s explanation afterwards said it all with his “early christmas present” story. He never mentioned it being something he wanted or thought worthwhile. He just hoped he would help VER win the WDC. He basically admitted being VER’s joker. Besides that, the simple fact that everybody knew that it would be a controversial action, means that it could never be an honorable farewell. It would be doubted from the moment RIC was boxing. They all knew, and still went ahead. In my opinion it even degraded RIC’s last race. He didn’t deserve to be screwed like that. But that point was too important for Red Bull, so it had to be done.
So yeah, second teams should be illegal.