After the qualifying session of Bahrain Grand Prix, the cars of both Alonso and Felipe Massa were fitted with new engines due to overheating worries. While the primary engines will from now on be used only for practice sessions, it has been confirmed that the race units will be used in China. Meaning both Ferrari drivers will use the Bahrain's Sunday 2.4L V8 engines during Shanghai's race day.
“As a precaution, we opted not to use the Bahrain race engines in Australia, but they will be used in China, having concluded that they are fit for purpose, despite what happened (the overheating) at the Sakhir circuit,” said Ferrari's engine and electronics chief Luca Marmorini.
Marmorini argued this decision by the characteristics of the Shanghai International Circuit, whose track is not particularly hard on the engines. Additionally, the temperatures for this weekend's race are expected to be quite low, with weather forecast also suggesting rain might make its presence on Sunday. Under the circumstances, the powerplant's life would not be in danger.
“I would describe it (the track) as medium load. It features a very long straight, but nothing that causes any particular concern for the power unit and also, the ambient temperature is not usually very high, which makes life easier on the engine front,” added Marmorini.
Had Alonso's car been fitted with a new engine, that would have brought the Spaniard in the position to use half of the engines designated to him for the 2010 season after only 4 races. According to the FIA rulebook, each driver is required to use only 8 engines per season – 19 races – any additional unit enforcing a grid penalty for the first race in which it is used.
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