Bridgestone Takes Blame for Poor Form

"Even if the entire package is important, the reason for such a negative result in this race is undoubtedly down to our tyres," Hamashima was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

Ferrari, winners of 15 of last year's 18 races, missed the podium for the first time since Hungary in August 2003, with World Champion Michael Schumacher finishing a distant seventh and teammate Rubens Barrichello retiring from the Sepang race.

Ferrari have used an updated version of last year's car before they introduce the new F2005, which Barrichello and Schumacher will test for the first time this week. The test will decide if the car debuts in Bahrain, the next round of the Championship, or is delayed further.

Both Schumacher and Barrichello struggled in qualifying at Sepang, with the German qualifying in 13th position, one place behind the Brazilian. Gaining positions in the race proved very hard after that.

Hamashima said tyre performance over a single lap was far from pleasing but admitted the Japanese tyre maker will be working hard to solve the problems.

"The potential over a flying lap was absolutely not satisfying, and the fact that [Fernando] Alonso and [Jarno] Trulli lapped a couple of seconds faster than us is certainly not down to the different fuel loads," Hamashima added.

"There are no mitigating factors: it was a big lesson. But it was healthy, in the sense that this defeat has taught us many things and we are ready to react. How? With a new family of tyres which debuted at Mugello, and which were designed with the F2005 in mind.

"Obviously we've had a lenghty discussion with Ferrari in order to create a new generation of tyres. We think we've identified some types which will let us become competitive again soon.

"There's no doubt that, if Ferrari were to decide to bring the F2005 (to the next race), we'll be able to send in time the tyres eventually chosen at Mugello this week. We need just very few days to built a sufficient amount."