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‘It didn’t work’ – Formula 1 star Esteban Ocon delighted about rule removal – despite it helping him
Esteban Ocon is willing to give up points for the greater good of Formula 1. While a major change to F1 cars and the introduction of GM looms in 2026, a small but significant rule change is hovering near the start of the upcoming 2025 season. GettyEsteban Ocon could lose points in 2025 but is a big fan of a new F1 rule change[/caption] F1 drivers gathered in London on Monday for F175, a historic event to ignite a new campaign that could feature the sport’s most competitive racing in years. Ocon now drives for Haas after a controversy-laden 2024 season with Alpine. The French driver received a point last season for winning the fastest lap during the United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 20. Ocon burned around the track in 1 minute and 37.330 seconds, giving his old team a critical point on the 53rd lap. But the fastest lap rule has been removed in 2025, which could impact teams in the middle and back of the F1 pack. A single point in Formula 1 can be worth millions of dollars at the end of the year. McLaren and Ferrari were separated by just 14 points at the top of F1 last year, while No. 7 Alpine held a slim seven-point edge over No. 8 Haas. Meanwhile, a fastest lap for Daniel Ricciardo last year in Singapore, saw accusations that Red Bull were using their Visa Cash App RB team to help them derail title challenger Lando Norris. Ocon said he’s “happy” the fastest lap has been removed from the rule book, especially since some teams were taking advantage of the rule just to gain a point. “The teams that have a gap from the pit stop can just pit and put their eyes on the fastest lap,” Ocon told talkSPORT.com. GettyOcon is excited about his racing future with Haas[/caption] GettyHe had a controversial 2024 run with Alpine that ended early[/caption] GettyPierre Gasly and Ocon were F1 teammates at Alpine[/caption] “You needed, in the end, to have cars not boxing and not pitting to do the fastest lap. That would have been the fair bit. “But you can’t control it. So, yeah, it didn’t work really.” Ocon has earned four podiums and he won the Hungarian GP in 2021. The 28-year-old driver has earned 445 points and entered 156 Formula 1 races. The 2025 F1 season is set up to be one of the biggest in the sport’s history. After a dramatic 2024 that saw McLaren’s Lando Norris challenge Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the driver championship, Lewis Hamilton has switched from Mercedes to Ferrari and almost every team has at least one new driver. “I think on paper it could be one of these seasons and it’s going to be a high pressure season,” Alpine’s Pierre Gasly said. The official F175 event on Monday night at the 02 was scheduled to bring all 20 drivers and 10 teams together for the first time for a season-opening unveiling. “I really don’t turn down an invite for free drinks, so I’m happy to be here,” Gasly joked. “We’re going to be all 20 drivers together. Usually we are on track arguing and fighting. I think tonight’s going to be a bit more chill and it’s great to to see the other guys in this environment. “I’m sure people are going to like it on TV. Also for the fans, it’s the first time we do it. “I actually don’t really know what to expect myself, but I’m sure it’s going to be pretty cool.”
Esteban Ocon is willing to give up points for the greater good of Formula 1.
While a major change to F1 cars and the introduction of GM looms in 2026, a small but significant rule change is hovering near the start of the upcoming 2025 season.
F1 drivers gathered in London on Monday for F175, a historic event to ignite a new campaign that could feature the sport’s most competitive racing in years.
Ocon now drives for Haas after a controversy-laden 2024 season with Alpine.
The French driver received a point last season for winning the fastest lap during the United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 20.
Ocon burned around the track in 1 minute and 37.330 seconds, giving his old team a critical point on the 53rd lap.
But the fastest lap rule has been removed in 2025, which could impact teams in the middle and back of the F1 pack.
A single point in Formula 1 can be worth millions of dollars at the end of the year.
McLaren and Ferrari were separated by just 14 points at the top of F1 last year, while No. 7 Alpine held a slim seven-point edge over No. 8 Haas.
Meanwhile, a fastest lap for Daniel Ricciardo last year in Singapore, saw accusations that Red Bull were using their Visa Cash App RB team to help them derail title challenger Lando Norris.
Ocon said he’s “happy” the fastest lap has been removed from the rule book, especially since some teams were taking advantage of the rule just to gain a point.
“The teams that have a gap from the pit stop can just pit and put their eyes on the fastest lap,” Ocon told talkSPORT.com.
“You needed, in the end, to have cars not boxing and not pitting to do the fastest lap. That would have been the fair bit.
“But you can’t control it. So, yeah, it didn’t work really.”
Ocon has earned four podiums and he won the Hungarian GP in 2021.
The 28-year-old driver has earned 445 points and entered 156 Formula 1 races.
The 2025 F1 season is set up to be one of the biggest in the sport’s history.
After a dramatic 2024 that saw McLaren’s Lando Norris challenge Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the driver championship, Lewis Hamilton has switched from Mercedes to Ferrari and almost every team has at least one new driver.
“I think on paper it could be one of these seasons and it’s going to be a high pressure season,” Alpine’s Pierre Gasly said.
The official F175 event on Monday night at the 02 was scheduled to bring all 20 drivers and 10 teams together for the first time for a season-opening unveiling.
“I really don’t turn down an invite for free drinks, so I’m happy to be here,” Gasly joked.
“We’re going to be all 20 drivers together. Usually we are on track arguing and fighting. I think tonight’s going to be a bit more chill and it’s great to to see the other guys in this environment.
“I’m sure people are going to like it on TV. Also for the fans, it’s the first time we do it.
“I actually don’t really know what to expect myself, but I’m sure it’s going to be pretty cool.”
