Heidfeld Forced to Change Engine
Nick Heidfeld will start ten places further back on the grid at Barcelona this weekend - to save teammate Mark Webber having to do the same
Webber will not participate in today's practice sessions after Williams discovered a defective exhaust valve installed in Heidfeld's engine.
Webber, who starts Barcelona with a new engine, will wait until a brand new engine is installed tomorrow before going out on the track, therefore avoiding a penalty for an engine change.
Heidfeld will be sacrificed to complete Williams set-up work and tyre evaluation, because the German's engine has already done one race at Imola. Heidfeld's engine will then be changed for one with new valves, when he will receive a ten-place grid penalty.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said: "The faulty exhaust valve could cause retirement in the race so we have decided not to take that risk. At present, two engines of a new specification are being assembled in Munich.
"We will bring them to Barcelona and install them in the cars prior to the third free practice on Saturday."
Share Or Save This Story
New all-electric Formula G series to begin in 2024 with radical format
Friday favourite: The brief F1 pairing that brought “fun” to Sauber
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his team-mate's F1 career climb
Why wet Canadian GP will be "the perfect storm" for F1
BTCC Snetterton: Rainford dominates to lead home Ingram
Why we need to talk about social media in F1
Super Formula Suzuka: Fukuzumi sees off Iwasa for Rookie Racing's first win
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments