Media report: Formula E plans 'golden lap' with bonus points in the race, drivers not convinced

Formula E is to adapt its sporting regulations and might award bonus points to drivers who are in the lead in randomly selected race laps. This is reported by the colleagues at The Race. The new rule is to be used in certain races in the coming season. Teams and drivers are reacting rather cautiously to the idea.

In the run-up to a race, two randomly determined laps are to be set, at the end of which the leading driver at that time is to receive an additional point for the championship standings. The two additional points could therefore increase the optimum score for a driver from 29 (25 points for victory, three points for pole position and one point for the fastest race lap) to 31.

However, it is still unclear whether the rule could be applied in addition to the fast-charging pit stops called "Attack Charge" or instead of them. However, there are still a few hurdles to overcome. The technology is still considered immature and prone to errors, especially the chargers developed by Fortescue Zero (formerly Williams Advanced Engineering).

As each team only receives one fast charger for its two cars, in the worst case scenario, a technical defect would end the race for both drivers. The Race speculates that the "Golden Lap" could be a fallback solution if the "Attack Charge" cannot be implemented.

Drivers: "We're already in a clown show"

However, the drivers are said to be less than enthusiastic about the idea: "We're already in a clown show even without this thing," said one Formula E driver in the report, who wished to remain anonymous. And one of his colleagues, who also did not wish to be named, is certain that awarding additional points for leading the race on certain laps would be "like deactivating air traffic control at an airport".

A points system of this kind would be unique in motorsport: although points are also awarded in the NASCAR racing series at some point during the race, there they are awarded to the top ten finishers. In addition, the race is divided into three or four segments from the outset and is interrupted for around ten minutes after the end of a segment.

Formula E points system is constantly changing

The Formula E points system has already been revised several times in the past: In season 1, for example, only the results of ten of the eleven races counted for the drivers' standings. In the first two years, there were two bonus points for the fastest race lap, which were reduced to one point for the third season. From the fifth season onwards, this bonus point was only awarded in the top 10.

In seasons 6 and 7, there was also an additional bonus point for the driver who set the fastest race lap in the group stage of qualifying. This was discontinued when the duel format was introduced in season 8. In addition, with the introduction of the Gen2 car in 2018, the series planned to award bonus points to the driver in the top five who had the highest amount of energy left in the battery at the finish. However, this idea was never implemented.

A final decision on the regulations will be made on 17 October by the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), which will convene for a virtual meeting.