Giedo van der Garde explains ‘better’ alternative to controversial F1 fastest lap point

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The result of the Singapore Grand Prix has brought about much debate after Lando Norris secured his third win of the 2024 season.

The Brit took his fourth pole position in six races and fifth overall of the season by two tenths over championship rival Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman is on a winless run going back to Spain and he has also not secured a pole since Austria. Verstappen has just not had an answer for the surging McLaren as Red Bull are in need of upgrades to catch back up.

In the race at Marina Bay, Norris led every lap as he took victory by the second longest margin of the 2024 season. Helmut Marko was left stunned by Norris’ pace at Singapore as Verstappen did all he could to finish second, but the RB20 was absolutely nowhere near the McLaren all weekend.

It was not all plain sailing for Norris though, as he clipped the wall twice while out in front on his own and almost took his front wing off. Dutch F1 pundit Allard Kalff thought Norris drove like a rookie as he almost put himself out of the race – and indeed the title hunt – by his own mistakes.

Nevertheless, the Brit held his own and took victory, cutting Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ championship down to 52 points with six races to go.

Giedo van der Garde suggests F1 should give out a point for pole position instead of the fastest lap

But the result brought about some controversy regarding the rules, and speaking on the DRS; De Race Show, former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde offered a potential alternative to the regulations.

Norris was denied the first ‘grand slam’ in F1 since Mika Hakkinen in 1998 at Monaco, as Daniel Ricciardo snatched the fastest lap of the race in what is being regarded as his final race in F1.

With the extra point being taken away from the McLaren, Verstappen is a position where he can finish second in every remaining race and Sprint race, regardless of the fastest lap point, and claim his fourth world championship.

This has sparked great discussions about whether Red Bull acted outside what is acceptable by pitting the Visa Cash App RB driver to obtain the fastest lap and benefit Verstappen’s title defence. Marc Priestley argued that the FIA may have to close this loophole to keep the ethical integrity of the sport.

And van der Garde seems to echo that, as he proposed that F1 should instead hand a point to the driver who achieves pole position; something that F1 has never done in its history.

While discussing the issue, the Dutchman said: “I think it’s only the top 10, if you drive in the top 10 then you get a point, that’s the case.

“If you drive outside the top 10 and you drive the fastest race [lap], you don’t get a point but you can take away [from another driver] and that is at least [what] the Red Bull and Ricciardo just did very cleverly.

“{It could be] better [to] give a point for pole position.”

Max Verstappen is under significant pressure to keep hold of his championship

Given Red Bull’s current situation, Verstappen is under increased pressure to defend his crown with an underperforming car.

As seen in a few instances this season, the RB20 has proven itself to be capable of having a dismal weekend. Verstappen has only finished on the podium twice in the last seven races.

Sergio Perez had already been struggling long before the team’s issues were apparent, as the Mexican has not been on the podium since Shanghai. But with Verstappen now visibly finding it difficult, Red Bull are in danger of losing both titles as they fall 41 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ championship.

With a four-week break now before the next race in Austin, Red Bull have some time to lull over their issues as they hope to find a solution to their ongoing problems.