Formula 1 teams have agreed to allow drivers an extra engine this season, after two cars broke down on the way to the grid in Australia two weeks ago.

2015 rules stated that each driver was allowed to use four power units over the course of the year, one fewer than in 2014, but this has been increased to five in a meeting today.

The rule was introduced as a sign that the FIA expected more reliability from the teams in the second season since new technical rules were introduced.

However, both Daniil Kvyat and Kevin Magnussen broke down on the way to the grid before the season-opening race in Melbourne, while Lewis Hamilton had engine issues today in Malaysia.

The penalty for using an extra engine is a 10-place grid penalty.