Fastest lap point could lead to some weird events says Kubica

THE reintroduction of a point for the fastest lap could ‘unlock some strange scenarios’ in the new Formula One season, veteran driver Robert Kubica believes.

This weekend’s Australian Grand Prix will be the first F1 race to award a championship point for the quickest lap since 1959.

Reaction has been mixed to the rule change, which requires a driver to finish in the top 10 to score the point.

Kubica, making his F1 return after eight years, joked he was unlikely to benefit from the new regulations in his Williams.

He said: “I think unfortunately it doesn’t affect us a lot. At least for now.

“It can unlock some strange scenarios at the end of the race with some cars pitting and it will open up.

“We’ll see three, four cars suddenly coming in. It will depend. It will be a kind of domino.”

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton said it would be ‘interesting’ to see how drivers battle for the 21 points on offer throughout the season, but his title rival Sebastian Vettel said: “I don’t expect much change. We’ll see after a couple of races if there is actually a change.”

Daniel Ricciardo, who had four fastest laps last season including in Melbourne, said: “It’s good that they’ve restricted it to the top 10. So you do have something potentially to lose if you go in to pit for a fresh set of tyres to get the fastest lap.

“I don’t think it will decide a championship - could do, but I don’t think it will.”