George Russell has proposed a change to the F1 regulations when it comes to young drivers taking part in free practice sessions. From next year, each team must nominate four FP1 sessions to junior drivers, doubled from two which has been the case in past seasons. However, Russell has suggested crashes involving the session stand-ins should not be included in the strict cost cap which the teams are bound to. “Four FP1s, I think it's great to give the opportunity to the youngsters,” Russell told media including RacingNews365 . “But maybe if there is any crash damage it shouldn't be within cost cap. “We're all right up close against the financial regulations and if a young driver were to damage the car, then that maybe should be separate.” Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli, who will race for the team next year alongside Russell, crashed during FP1 earlier this year at the Italian Grand Prix.
Russell praises fastest lap point removal
A rule change that has been confirmed for next year is the removal of the extra point awarded for the fastest lap. Drivers inside the top 10 can claim an extra point in the championship by logging the fastest lap of the grand prix. Russell praised the erasure of the rule which has been in place since the 2019 season. “I always thought the point for fastest lap was a bit pointless,” Russell admitted. “It would always be the driver who was having a tough race in the top 10 would pit, put new tyres on and gain the extra point. “So I never really saw the benefit of that. So I’m glad to see that it's gone.”
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