New twist in fastest lap bonus points rule
Bonus points for recording the fastest lap in a sprint race will return in 2022, but with a twist.
The ability to score bonus points for setting the fastest lap in sprint races was introduced in 2021.
It will return in 2022, although a rule tweak has ensured they will be harder to secure in 2022.
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Five bonus points are awarded to drivers who clock the fastest time at sprint events.
There will be eight sprint rounds in 2022; Tasmania, Albert Park, Perth, Winton, Darwin, Tailem Bend, Sandown and Pukekohe.
Bonus points will be on offer for the 25 races across these events, but they will now only be awarded if the driver in question finishes the race in the top 15.
As such, there will be a maximum of 125 bonus points on offer in 2022.
"At Sprint Events only, additional Championship points specified as 5% of the amount awarded to the race winner, will be awarded to the Driver who achieves the fastest lap in each race," Rule D14.2.1.1 of the 2022 Operations Manual states.
The rule change stipulates: "a) Only Drivers who finish in the top fifteen (15) in any race will be eligible for 'fastest lap' points in that race."
It reflects the rule used in Formula One; since 2019, a single bonus point has been awarded to drivers who set the fastest lap, but they must finish in the top 10.
As it was in 2021, drivers can only secure bonus points if they are a classified finisher.
Only once last year did bonus points go begging. Chaz Mostert set the fastest lap in Race 10 at The Bend, but was not a classified finisher.
Mostert himself became the first driver in ATCC/Supercars history to score fastest lap bonus points at Sandown last March.
The latest Bathurst winner ended 2021 with the most accrued bonus points.
Mostert scored bonus points five times in 2021. Series champion Shane van Gisbergen scored fastest lap bonus points four times.
Anton De Pasquale, Jamie Whincup and Cameron Waters did it three times each.
Fastest lap bonus points will first be on offer at the Symmons Plains round on March 26-27.
The 13-event 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Sydney in March. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.
