In motorsports, the fastest lap is the quickest lap run during a race. In some racing series, like NASCAR, the fastest lap awards championship points for a driver or team. In Formula One and MotoGP no point is awarded for the fastest lap.
Formula One
In Formula One, 141 different drivers have made fastest race laps. Michael Schumacher holds the record for the highest number of fastest laps with 77, followed by Lewis Hamilton with . Since , the DHL Fastest Lap Award is given to the driver with the most fastest laps in a season.
Between 1950-1959 and 2019-2024, an extra point was given to the driver who recorded the fastest lap during a race. Between 2019 and 2024, the point could only be awarded if the driver achieving the fastest lap finished the race in 10th position or better. The point has been discontinued for the 2025 season.
Fastest laps are often set during the final laps of a race. Lap times often decrease as tracks get "rubbered in" and fuel weights go down as a race progresses.
Top ten drivers in Formula One history with the most fastest laps BoldDriver has competed in the 2026 season Driver Fastest laps1 Michael Schumacher772 Lewis Hamilton3 Kimi Räikkönen464 Alain Prost415 Sebastian Vettel38 Max Verstappen7 Nigel Mansell308 Jim Clark289 Fernando Alonso10 Mika Häkkinen25 Source:
Formula One performance hybrid racecar In recent studies the LeMans endurance project has been reconfiguring Formula One racecars and making them faster by reconfiguring powertrain configurations. These powertrain reconfigurations have drastically been able to cut the time of the fastest lap achievable by Formula One racecars. This team also studied the capabilities of Formula One racecars and studied how to improve the performance of the cars. Ultimately they designed a powertrain configuration that cut the fastest lap time achievable by a standard Formula One racecar by over 20 seconds.
Formula One aerodynamics studies A researcher at Durham University studied the aerodynamic effects on Formula One racecars and how to make them more efficient and ultimately faster. A Formula One racecar's lap time advantage is the result of the cornering performance of the vehicle. If the tyres can have more grip there would be more friction and less slippage which would allow the car to go faster through corners, and subsequently decrease the time it takes to complete a lap. Also if the powertrain had more power and if the car experienced less drag then it could achieve a faster lap time.
NASCAR In 2025, NASCAR began awarding the Xfinity Fastest Lap Award and a bonus point to whoever sets the fastest lap in a given race. All three national series (Cup, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Truck) are eligible for the award.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
In Grand Prix motorcycle racing, which includes the 50cc, 80cc, 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP classes, Giacomo Agostini holds the record for the most fastest laps with 117, Valentino Rossi is second with 96 fastest laps, and Marc Márquez is third with 91 fastest laps.
Top ten riders in Grand Prix motorcycle racing with the most fastest laps BoldRider still competing in Grand Prix motorcycle racing as of the 2026 season Rider Fastest laps1 Giacomo Agostini1172 Valentino Rossi963 Marc Márquez 914 Ángel Nieto815 Mike Hailwood796 Dani Pedrosa647 Mick Doohan468 Max Biaggi429 Jorge Lorenzo3710 Phil Read36 Source: Select Riders' race fastest laps, all seasons, all classes, all countries, all tracks.
See also List of Indianapolis 500 fastest laps
References