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

Tim Redmayne May 6, 2005, 10:42 AM

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."