Initial reports suggested that Ferrari found the problem – linked to their 2.4 litre V8's valve system – and have asked the International Automobile Federation (FIA) the permission to work on their engines on grounds of reliability. Although that information was denied by Fernando Alonso shortly after, it has now been confirmed by Ferrari that the FIA allowed the Maranello team to make the necessary adjustments to their units.
“A lot of work was carried out on the test bench, completing several long runs and this work produced some solutions which it is felt will solve the reliability problems experienced in Bahrain and Malaysia,” red a Ferrari statement on Tuesday.
“The team therefore requested and received authorization from the FIA to make some changes within the framework of the current engine regulations and these modifications will be fitted to the engines to be used in Spain.”
“(...)The staff in the engine department really produced a major effort, working night and day to analyse, evaluate and solve issues that have affected engine performance in past races,” concluded the press release.
Ferrari will therefore debut revised powerplants in this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, along with inboard mirrors – as the outboard units have been banned by the FIA from Barcelona onwards – and the developed version of their F-duct system. The last feature will however be present on the Ferrari F10 only in the practice sessions on Friday, after which the team will evaluate its benefits for the race.
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