Who will start today's Singapore Grand Prix with a fresh power unit component?
Three drivers are set to start today’s Singapore Grand Prix with fresh power unit components, but neither of them will exceed their allocation for the F1 2024 season.
In 2014, the championship saw the introduction of a revised engine formula. The previous 2.4-litre V8 engine configuration that was used used between 2006 and 2013 was replaced with a new formula that revolved around a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine that incorporated an energy recovery system.
The sporting regulation regarding the number of permitted power unit components and their development allowance have been updated on multiple occasions since 2014.
Currently, development of the power units is not allowed as they have been frozen since the start of 2022. It means that teams need to use their current power units until the end of the 2025 season with the following year set to see the introduction of all-new engine regulations.
The current generation of F1 power units features seven different elements: the internal combustion engine (ICE), motor generator unit-heat (MGU-H), motor generator unit-kinetic (MGU-K), turbocharger, energy store (ES), control electronics (CE) and exhaust.
Over the course of the 2024 season, a driver may use no more than four ICEs, MGU-Hs, MGU-Ks and turbochargers. Furthermore, , drivers are restricted to two energy stores and control electronics, and eight of each of the four elements that make up a set of exhaust systems (comprising primaries left-hand side, primaries right-hand side, secondary LHS and secondary RHS).
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly will be the only driver to start today’s Singapore Grand Prix with a new exhaust system. The Frenchman has already used six EXs which means that he will have only one more fresh unit to see out the season without picking up a penalty.
Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will use a new control electronics and energy store in today’s race at the Marina Bay Circuit.
Both drivers have used a single unit so far this season which means that these components have shown great reliability and this should mean that they will both easily complete the remainder of the year with these fresh units.
