Ferrari team principal Jean Todt has revealed that piston problems were the cause of the engine changes that compromised the team’s performance in Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix.
A total of three changes prior to the race - one for Michael Schumacher and two for Felipe Massa - meant that both Ferrari drivers were handicapped by grid penalties, with Schumacher starting 14th and Massa 21st.
"The problem has been around the piston area,” confirmed Todt. “We have a specific failure that comes from the component so it's around that. However, sometimes the final problem is a result of different combinations.”
Ferrari’s decision to swap V8s was, however, vindicated by strong race performances from both drivers, with Massa climbing all the way from the back row to finish fifth, one place in front of his team mate.
“The new engines were of a different specification,” added Todt. “At the moment we are still analysing the problems, before making a final judgement. We need to have very accurate analysis."
Bookmarks