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On inspecting
Nick Heidfeld's engine, which was supposed to do its second Grand Prix this
weekend in Spain, the BMW technicians on Thursday discovered a defective
exhaust valve. The fresh BMW P84/5 engine which was scheduled to be
installed in Mark Webber's car for this weekend, is of the same
specification.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen explains: "The faulty exhaust valve
could cause retirement in the race and therefore 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."
As a consequence, Nick will take on the entire responsibility for the team's
set-up work and tyre evaluation during Friday's free practice sessions. The
German is going to be penalised for the unscheduled engine change by loosing
places on the grid.
As a consequence, Mark will not take part in Friday's practice sessions. He
will start with the fresh engine on Saturday morning and in this way he
avoids any unscheduled engine change and the resulting penalty imposition. |
