Organisers confident race is on

Grand Prix Masters' CEO Scott Poulter is confident that Sunday's race at Silverstone will go ahead as planned despite an engine problem that has disrupted Friday's practice sessions

Dieter Rencken Aug 11, 2006, 3:55 PM

Only six cars took part in today's morning practice, and seven cars in the afternoon session, as problems were found on several engine units.

"We have had a technical issue, and lost ten engines since yesterday, of which six have been returned to Nicholson McLaren (the engine builder)," Poulter said.

"So far four of these have been returned to us. Obviously we have had to adjust our programme, which has caused some disruption."

Asked whether proceedings were likely to be affected, Poulter said he was confident the programme would not be changed, and that at least 15 cars would take the start with upgraded engines.

"We analyzed the issue and are on track to recover the situation," he said.

According to a GPM source, who is confident that a cure has been found, the crankcase redesign introduced as part of a routine engine rebuild programme after the last race in Qatar, has caused bearings to run short of lubrication.