Piastri Dominates Second Practice Session as Mercedes Power Units Make Strong Statement in Melbourne
Oscar Piastri claimed the top spot in Friday's second practice session at his home race, showcasing McLaren's competitive form in Australia. The resurgence of Mercedes-powered machinery proved particularly notable, with the German manufacturer's engine partners moving prominently up the order.
The Australian driver made a statement on home soil by setting the pace during the second practice session on Friday at the Australian Grand Prix, putting McLaren in a strong position heading into the weekend.
Meanwhile, the performance of Mercedes-engined teams marked a significant shift in the competitive landscape, as the Brackley-based power unit supplier's customer teams demonstrated improved competitiveness throughout the session. This resurgence suggests an increasingly tight midfield battle as teams continue to refine their setups and extract maximum performance from their machinery.
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Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
Article B2.1.3
Free Practice Session Classification
Chapter: B2
In Simple Terms
Free Practice sessions are ranked based on each driver's fastest single lap time. The driver with the quickest lap gets first place, the second quickest gets second place, and so on down the grid.
- Classification is based solely on fastest lap time achieved during the session
- Drivers are ranked from fastest to slowest
- Only the single best lap for each driver counts toward the classification
- Free Practice results do not affect the actual race grid positions
Official FIA Text
Classification determined by fastest lap time set by each driver, with fastest in first position, second fastest in second position, and so on.
Article 5.1
Definition of a New PU Manufacturer
Chapter: SECTION C: TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
In Simple Terms
A 'New PU Manufacturer' is a company entering F1 for the first time that hasn't built power units before (2014-2021) and hasn't inherited significant technology from existing manufacturers. If approved by the FIA, they receive special benefits and exemptions for 5 years (from 3 years before entry through 1 year after). The FIA evaluates applicants based on their facilities, engine experience, and ERS system knowledge.
- New PU Manufacturers must meet two conditions: no prior homologation since 2014 AND no significant inherited IP from established manufacturers
- Approved new manufacturers receive a 5-year window of special rights/exemptions (N-3 to N+1 calendar years)
- The FIA has absolute discretion in granting status and evaluates applicants on infrastructure investment, ICE experience, and ERS system expertise
Official FIA Text
A PU Manufacturer intending to supply PUs for the first time in year N, will be considered to be a "New PU Manufacturer" if it (or any related party): a. has not homologated a PU at least once in the period 2014-2021; and b. has not received any significant recent Intellectual Property from a PU Manufacturer who is not a New PU Manufacturer, subject to the conditions outlined in Article 5.2 of this Appendix. (together, for this Article 5 only, the "Necessary Conditions") The "New PU Manufacturer" status will be granted by the FIA, at its absolute discretion, for the complete calendar years from N-3 to N+1. In order to be granted the "New PU Manufacturer" status, the PU Manufacturer in question must, upon the request of the FIA, provide the FIA with all of the detailed information or documents requested by the FIA describing the commercial background and details of the PU Manufacturer's business, the Intellectual Property owned by the PU Manufacturer and the technical relationship between the PU Manufacturer and any other related entity or persons (the "Requested Documentation"). PU Manufacturers granted a "New PU Manufacturer" status are given additional rights or exemptions in certain provisions of the Technical, Sporting and Financial Regulations. In order to assess whether the Necessary Conditions have been satisfied by a PU Manufacturer, the FIA will assess the Requested Documentation provided by the PU Manufacturer with regard to three factors: a. Infrastructure: the necessity for the PU Manufacturer to build facilities, invest significantly in assets, and hire personnel with prior Formula 1 experience; b. ICE status: the prior experience of the PU Manufacturer in Formula 1 Internal Combustion Engines, and potential possession of significant recent Intellectual Property; and c. ERS status: the prior experience of the PU Manufacturer in Formula 1 ERS systems, and potential possession of significant recent Intellectual Property.
Article B8.2.1
Power Unit Conformity
Chapter: B8
In Simple Terms
Teams can only use power units (engines) in races if every part of that engine was approved by FIA officials when it was first introduced. This means all components must match what the team originally submitted and had checked off as legal.
- Only approved power units are allowed in races
- Every component must conform to the latest homologation dossier
- Parts must have been approved at the time they entered the race pool
- Teams cannot modify or substitute unapproved engine components
Official FIA Text
The only Power Unit that may be used at a Competition during the Championship is a Power Unit which is constituted only of elements that were in conformity, at the date they were introduced in the Race pool, with the latest submitted and approved homologation dossier.
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