The Fastest Lap of a race is a term which describes the quickest lap time set during a race (excluding practice and qualifying sessions). It is distinct from the Lap Record which describes the fastest lap time ever set on a particular circuit (though the two occasionally coincide).
The fastest lap of a race is usually set near to the end of the race, when fuel levels are lowest and the overall car weight is at its minimum. However, this was not always the case. Prior to 2009, when mid-race refuelling was allowed, the car's weight varied throughout the race. As a result, the fastest lap was often set midway through a race.
Between 1950 and 1959, a bonus World Championship point was awarded to the holder of the fastest lap for each race. Due to limitations in timing precision at the time, this was occasionally shared. In fact, at the 1954 British Grand Prix, seven drivers shared the bonus point for fastest lap. This award returns for the 2019 season, with top-ten finishing drivers eligible.
The fastest lap is also one part of the Hat-trick and Grand Chelem.
Contents
Records[edit | edit source]
Total fastest laps[edit | edit source]
Driver | Fastest Laps | Race starts | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 77 | 306 | 25.16% | |
2 |
53 |
266 |
19.92% | |
3 |
46 |
330 |
13.94% | |
4 | 41 | 199 | 20.60% | |
5 |
38 |
257 |
14.79% | |
6 | 30 | 187 | 16.04% | |
7 | 28 | 72 | 38.88% | |
8 | 25 | 161 | 15.52% | |
9 | 24 | 171 | 14.03% | |
10 | 23 | 51 | 45.09% | |
23 | 204 | 11.27% | ||
23 | 312 | 7.37% |
Most fastest laps in a season[edit | edit source]
Driver | Season | Entries | Fastest Laps | Percentage | WDC | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2004 | 18 | 10 | 55.55% | 1st | |
2008 | 18 | 10 | 55.55% | 3rd | ||
2005 | 19 | 10 | 52.63% | 2nd | ||
4 | 2000 | 17 | 9 | 52.94% | 2nd | |
5 | 1992 | 16 | 8 | 50.00% | 1st | |
1994 | 16 | 8 | 50.00% | 1st | ||
1995 | 17 | 8 | 47.05% | 1st | ||
2015 | 19 | 8 | 42.11% | 1st | ||
9 | 1986 | 16 | 7 | 43.75% | 3rd | |
1988 | 16 | 7 | 43.75% | 2nd | ||
2002 | 17 | 7 | 41.18% | 1st | ||
2006 | 18 | 7 | 38.89% | 2nd | ||
2011 | 19 | 7 | 36.84% | 3rd | ||
2013 | 19 | 7 | 36.84% | 1st | ||
2014 | 19 | 7 | 36.84% | 1st | ||
2017 | 20 | 7 | 35.00% | 1st | ||
2018 | 21 | 7 | 33.33% | 5th |
Highest percentage of fastest laps in a season[edit | edit source]
Driver | FLs | Races | Season | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 | 8 | 1952 | 75.00% | |
2 | 5 | 8 | 1951 | 62.50% | |
3 | 6 | 10 | 1963 | 60.00% | |
6 | 10 | 1965 | 60.00% | ||
5 | 5 | 9 | 1962 | 55.55% | |
10 | 18 | 2004 | 55.55% | ||
10 | 18 | 2008 | 55.55% | ||
8 | 9 | 17 | 2000 | 52.94% | |
9 | 10 | 19 | 2005 | 52.63% | |
10 | 4 | 8 | 1956 | 50.00% | |
8 | 16 | 1992 | 50.00% | ||
8 | 16 | 1994 | 50.00% |
Most consecutive fastest laps[edit | edit source]
Youngest drivers to set fastest lap[edit | edit source]
(only the first fastest lap for each driver is listed)
Driver | Age | Race | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 19 years, 44 days | 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix | |
2 | 20 years, 235 days | 2020 Austrian Grand Prix | |
3 | 20 years, 258 days | 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix | |
4 | 21 years, 166 days | 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix | |
5 | 21 years, 280 days | 2013 Spanish Grand Prix | |
6 | 21 years, 321 days | 2003 Canadian Grand Prix | |
7 | 21 years, 322 days | 1959 British Grand Prix | |
8 | 21 years, 353 days | 2009 British Grand Prix | |
9 | 22 years, 19 days | 2016 Spanish Grand Prix | |
10 | 22 years, 91 days | 2007 Malaysian Grand Prix |
v·d·e | Nominate this page for Featured Article |