It has actually been a tradition since the start of the turbo-hybrid era: massive grid penalties for replaced power units. In the second half of the season it is now very common for drivers to have to start from the back due to a load of replaced parts.
However, we noticed very little of this last season. However, the FIA is happily seizing the opportunity to bring it back for 2024.
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Back to three
Last season the limit for power units was slightly expanded. Instead of three combustion engines, the teams were allowed to use as many as four in 2023.
With 22 Grand Prix on the program, this theoretically meant a new V6 every 5 to 6 races. Despite the fact that there will be two more races in 2024, the FIA has reversed the relaxation.
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Eight weekends
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In 2024, each power unit will in theory now have to withstand at least eight full race weekends, something that has never been achieved before. So we can once again look forward to a thoroughly shaken up grid for the later races of the season. After all, an additional engine change seems inevitable.
