Every F1 rule change revealed ahead of new season with fastest lap bonus point scrapped and swearing sanctions

FORMULA ONE is going to look a little different in 2025 – after a host of new rules.

The new F1 season is set to be one of the closest title fights in modern history when it kick starts in Melbourne on Sunday.

This season is the latest before a major change in regulations

Defending champion Max Verstappen will begin his F1 title defence this weekend

Before lights out at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, several key technical and regulatory tweaks will come into effect.

Most are in response to controversies that occurred last season, before the major overhaul to technical regulations from 2026.

Here SunSport runs you through the main ones that are worth knowing about.

Goodbye fastest lap bonus point

Since 2019, a driver that finished in the top 10 of a race was eligible for an extra championship point if they set the fastest lap.

But this rule – the only change to the points system- has been removed in arguably the biggest of the changes introduced.

While the bonus point had led to drivers pushing in the closing stages of races, there had been controversy over teams making late pit stops or attempts to block rivals.

This was notable when drivers outside the top 10 posted the fastest lap, which took the bonus away from title contenders. 

Last season, Daniel Ricciardo denied Lando Norris an extra point for the fastest lap of the race at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

Ricciardo was driving for Red Bull’s junior team Visa Cash App RB.

Norris was locked in a tight fight with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the drivers title – which can be lost and won with a single point.

Daniel Ricciardo pitted to change to soft tyres and go for the fastest lap time in Singapore

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Heavier cars and cooling systems

If you believe the current F1 cars are too big, we have some bad news for you.

Car mass is up 2kg from 798kg to 800kg this season, which combines both cars and drivers.

The change is due to the minimum driver weight having been increased by 2kg from 80kg to 82kg, which partially accounts for the taller drivers such as George Russell and Esteban Ocon.

Driver weight includes their helmet, race suit and shoes.

Teams will also be required to fit a mandated driver cooling system in the event of a heat hazard.

The hazard would be declared when the temperature is forecast to be 31 degrees or above during a sprint or Grand Prix race.

Car weights will be increased by 2kg for practice, qualifying and sprint qualifying when cooling systems are required.

Russell was heartbreakingly stripped of his Belgian GP win last season, when his car was found underweight after it was drained of fuel during the usual post-race checks.

Car mass is up 2kg from 798kg to 800kg this season

Mini-DRS and flexible wings 

One of the main technical points that arose during the 2024 campaign was McLaren’s rear-wing design.

At high speeds the rear wing of the MCL38 tilted backward under heavy aerodynamic load, creating a gap in the win that was termed a “mini-DRS.”

While McLaren was instructed to alter their design in September, the FIA has tightened up the technical regulations regarding both the rear wing and the Drag Reduction System (DRS).

The FIA have tightened technical regulations regarding the rear wing and Drag Reduction System.

Under the new regulations outlined in Article 3.10 of the Technical Regulations, the minimum gap in the rear wing has decreased from 10-15mm to 9.4-13mm.

The FIA will introduce stricter front wing regulations to come into force at the Spanish GP in June – much to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko‘s dismay.

The FIA tightened technical regulations regarding the rear wing and Drag Reduction System

No swearing

Drivers face possible one-month BANS if they repeatedly swear or criticise the governing body.

The controversial move is prompted by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s determination to cut out bad language.

Verstappen was the first big victim of this clampdown after he used X-rated language during a press conference at the Singapore GP.

The four-time world champion was ordered do “community service” and spend time with grassroot competitors in Rwanda.

Under the new guidelines, a first offence would result in a £33,750 fine, a second offence £67,4300 and a suspended one-month ban. 

A third offence would bring a £100,000 fine, a one-month ban and the deduction of championship points.

F1 personnel could also be punished for causing moral injury or loss to the FIA; incitement to violence or hatred; political, religious or personal statements that do not align with FIA neutrality.

Failure to comply with FIA instructions at official ceremonies is also punishable.

Max Verstappen was not impressed after being told off for swearing at a press conference

Mohammed Ben Sulayem wants to cut out bad language

Two-stop race in Monaco

F1 had made Monaco a two-stop minimum Grand Prix in bid to improve racing.

It’s mainly in response to drivers – namely Hamilton’s– complaints last year after an early red flag allowed a free tyre change.

This meant they adhered to the regulated stop before completing the circuit without further changes.

A lack of overtaking at the iconic street circuit has been criticised for affecting the spectacle of the event.

Tweaks to qualifying based on championship position

This is to cover the situation in Brazil last year when qualifying was touch and go due to bad weather.

The forecast of more heavy rain from mid-afternoon in Sao Paulo led to the decision to bring the race time forward.

That saw qualifying moved to an early start time because there must be a minimum of four hours between the end of qualifying and the start of the race.

So, the grid for the race will be defined by the drivers championship position, IF qualifying cannot take place.

Rex

This is to cover off the situation in Brazil last year if qualifying could not have gone ahead due to bad weather[/caption]

More practice for rookies and test time

The mandatory FP1 running for rookie drivers has been expanded for 2025.

Each team will be required to run four young drivers free practice sessions.

This is an increase over the previous requirement of two.

Teams will choose which weekends their rookies will participate in, with the finale in Abu Dhabi often being a favourite.

During the season, teams have a limited allowance of testing of previous cars – which are aged between two and four years old. 

They will not be allowed to exceed 1,000km of running in total.

Teams can only have one of these cars available to run during a test at any time.