Hamilton hopes that Mercedes' dominant form is not a result of potential compression irregularities

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton displayed an encouraing performance during the opening day of the season-starting Australian Grand Prix, but finished only seventh behind his teammate Charles Leclerc after engine issues disrupted his qualifying session.

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technical Regulations

Art. 5.1

Art. C5.23

sporting Regulations

Art. B2.4.1

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Full Regulation Text

Technical Regulations

Article 5.1

FIA Source

Power Unit Components

Chapter: Chapter I - Power Unit

In Simple Terms

F1 limits how many engine parts each driver can use per season to control costs. You get 3 of most components (engine, turbo, MGU-H, MGU-K) and 2 of others (battery, control electronics). Exceed these limits and you get grid penalties. Teams must balance performance versus reliability.

3 engines (ICE) per season
3 turbos, MGU-H, MGU-K per season
2 energy stores and control electronics per season
Exceeding limits = grid penalties

Official FIA Text

Each driver may use no more than 3 internal combustion engines (ICE), 3 motor generator units-heat (MGU-H), 3 turbochargers (TC), 3 motor generator units-kinetic (MGU-K), 2 energy stores (ES), 2 control electronics (CE) during the Championship.

grid penaltiesreliabilityengine modespower unitenginePUICEMGU-H

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B2.4.1

FIA Source

Race Qualifying Session

Chapter: B2

In Simple Terms

Qualifying is the session where drivers compete to determine their starting positions for the race. It normally happens on the second day of a Grand Prix weekend, either 2-3 hours after the final practice session (FP3) or 3-4 hours after the Sprint race, depending on the event format.

Qualifying determines the race grid order - your position in qualifying decides where you start the race
Standard format: held on day two, 2-3 hours after FP3 (free practice 3)
Alternative format: held on day two, 3-4 hours after Sprint race
Timing varies based on whether the weekend includes a Sprint race or follows the traditional format

Official FIA Text

Qualifying determines Race starting grid. Standard Format: second day, 2-3 hours after FP3. Alternative Format: second day, 3-4 hours after Sprint.

qualifyinggrid positionstarting gridqualifying sessionf1 qualifying

2026 Season Regulations

Technical Regulations

Article C5.23

FIA Source

Single ICE Mode

Chapter: C5

In Simple Terms

Drivers must use the same engine power mode throughout each lap during qualifying and races. They can only switch between different power modes during free practice sessions, where they're allowed to experiment and test different settings.

One ICE mode must be maintained per competitive lap in qualifying and races
Free practice is the only session where drivers can change power modes during laps
This rule applies to all competitive sessions except free practice
Ensures consistency and prevents mid-lap power adjustments during official racing

Official FIA Text

The Power Unit must be operated in a single ICE mode during each competitive lap in all sessions of a Competition, with the exception of free practice sessions.

ice modepower unitengine modecompetitive lapqualifying

2026 Season Regulations