Kubica: Extra point for fastest lap could produce 'strange scenarios'

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Robert Kubica believes Formula 1's new rule awarding a championship point to the driver that sets fastest lap in a race could lead to some "strange scenarios".

Formula 1 announced the new sporting rule this week, insisting the scheme is the result of its research and a fan-based survey.

The rule only applies however to drivers running in the top 10, admittedly an unlikely prospect for Williams' Kubica given the expected level of performance of his team.

Frustrated Kubica: Williams car 'not representative to what it should be'

"I think unfortunately it doesn’t affect us a lot at least for now," Kubica said on Thursday.

"An extra point I think it can unlock some strange scenarios at the end of the race with some cars pitting.

"All of a sudden we will see people, cars coming in. It will depend, it will be a kind of domino I think. But as I said we are not really interested about it."

Also queried on the subject, Daniel Ricciardo is in favour of the mad dash extra point ploy, although the Aussie doubts it will have any bearing on the battle for the title.

"It’s good that they’ve at least restricted it to the top 10 so you do have something potentially to lose if you’re going to pit for a fresh set of tyres to get the fastest lap," he said.

“I haven’t really thought that much about it," he added.

"We’ll see how it plays out. I don’t think it will decide a championship. It could do, but I don’t think it will."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.