Formula 1 has confirmed it will award one championship point for the fastest lap for each of the 21 races on the 2019 F1 calendar.
The change to the points system was voted on and approved during an e-vote on Monday, which means it will come into effect from this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.
The additional point will be awarded to the driver that sets the fastest lap of the race, so long as they are classified within the top ten at the end of the race – if the fastest lap is set by a driver outside the top ten, no point will be awarded.
This is to avoid drivers outside of the points from pitting at the end of the race for fresh tyres, solely with the aim of trying to set the fastest lap.
It means there are potentially another 21-points up for grabs over the course of the season, which is almost equal to the 25 awarded for a race win.
Points will count toward both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships.
"Together with the FIA we have been committed to evaluating ideas and solutions that can improve the show whilst maintaining the integrity of our sport," commented managing director of motorsport Ross Brawn.
"We felt that the reintroduction, after sixty years, of a point for the driver of the fastest lap in the race goes in this direction. We have been considering this solution – which represents a response to detailed research carried out with thousands of our fans around the world — for a number of months.
"How many times have we heard the drivers on the radio ask the team about who holds the fastest lap? Now it will no longer be only a matter of record and prestige, but there will be a concrete motivation that will make the final part of the race even more interesting.
"Sometimes it is useful to remind ourselves of the heritage of our sport to move forward."
F1 last awarded a point for the fastest lap in 1958, which helped Mike Hawthorn to outscore championship rival Sir Stirling Moss by a single point.
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