Highlights

Engine woes leave Ferrari struggling

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-18 20:20

SEPANG, Malaysia, March 18 - Ferrari were licking their wounds on Saturday after engine problems left Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa well down the Malaysian Grand Prix starting grid.

Once renowned for their rock-solid reliability, four Ferrari engines in three cars have had to be replaced since the Bahrain Grand Prix last week.

Schumacher's second place in the season-opening race had raised hopes that Ferrari, the most successful team in Formula One history, would be back among the winners soon enough.

That looks unlikely on Sunday with seven times world champion Schumacher starting from row seven after being demoted 10 places. The rules penalise drivers whose engines do not last for two races in a row.

"It isn't too bad considering the penalty inflicted for the engine change," said Schumacher.

"Considering the circumstances, our objective is not to lose touch with the drivers who presumably will be fighting for the championship.

"It'll be interesting to see whether overtaking will be possible and how much fuel the others have on board...I would rather try and bring home a few points than nothing at all."

Brazilian Massa has had his engine changed twice this week and will start from the back of the grid in what will be his second race in the familiar red car.

"I'm very disappointed because I was convinced that I had the potential to compete with the front-runners," he said. "Tomorrow is going to be difficult."

Red Bull, who ditched independent Cosworth for Ferrari engines at the end of last season, also felt the pain.

While Cosworth powered the two Williams drivers to the second row of the grid, Red Bull's David Coulthard had to have his engine replaced straight after Bahrain.

Austrian team mate Christian Klien must also be concerned that his car has the only Ferrari engine to survive from last week's race.

"The engine change obviously is the thing that spoils it but we knew that since last weekend," said Coulthard after qualifying.

Ferrari were pleased with the reliability of the new V8 engine in winter tests and say they will be working hard to sort out the glitches.

"This is very frustrating for us," said Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn. "We have had various problems with the engine but we'll get over them. I'm convinced of that."