The DHL Fastest Lap Award is given annually by the courier, Formula One global partner and logistics provider DHL "to recognise the driver who most consistently demonstrates pure speed, with the fastest lap at the highest number of races each season",[1] and to reward the winning driver for "characteristics such as excellent performance, passion, can-do attitude, reliability and precision".[2] First awarded in 2007 by DHL,[3] the trophy's official naming patron,[4] it is presented to the driver with the highest number of fastest laps over the course of the season,[5] with one point awarded to the fastest lap holder of a Grand Prix.[6] In the event of a tie, there is a countback and the driver with the highest number of second-fastest laps earns the award. If this is also tied, third-fastest laps are considered, and so on, until a winner is found.[7] The trophy is presented to the winning driver at the final round of the season.[6][8]
| Sport | Motorsport |
|---|---|
| Competition | Formula One |
| Awarded for | "to recognise the driver who most consistently demonstrates pure speed, with the fastest lap at the highest number of races each season"[1] |
| History | |
| First winner | Kimi Räikkönen (2007) |
| Most wins | Lewis Hamilton (6) |
| Most recent | Max Verstappen (2023) |
The inaugural winner was the Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen with six fastest laps in 2007.[9] The award has been decided on a tiebreaker on four occasions. Räikkönen and his teammate Felipe Massa tied with six fastest laps and two-second-quickest laps in 2007 with the former winning by having more third-fastest laps than the latter.[7] In 2009, Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel and his teammate Mark Webber had three fastest laps at the end of the season but Vettel won with two more second-fastest laps than the latter.[10] Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton each had five fastest laps in 2010 with Alonso finishing ahead with a higher number of second-best laps.[11] In 2021, both Hamilton and Red Bull's Max Verstappen set six fastest laps with Hamilton declared the winner for recording more second-fastest laps than Verstappen.[12]
British drivers have won the award six times, German drivers four times, and Finnish racers three times. Mercedes have won on seven occasions to Red Bull Racing's six and Ferrari's three. The 2023 recipient was Verstappen of the Red Bull Racing team with nine fastest laps, his second time winning the award after earning it the year before.[13][14]
Winners
| * | Indicates driver won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship that season |
|---|
Statistics
| Country | Wins | Drivers |
|---|---|---|
 British | 6 | 1 |
 German | 4 | 2 |
 Finnish | 3 | 2 |
 Dutch | 2 | 1 |
 Australian | 1 | 1 |
 Spanish | 1 | 1 |
| Constructor | Wins | Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes | 8 | 3 |
| Red Bull Racing | 6 | 3 |
| Ferrari | 3 | 2 |