Although worrying that this kind of problems are starting to show from the very first race of the season for Massa, the good news is that it won’t affect his grid position on Sunday. According to the Scuderia, the already used engine will continue to be fitted on the F10, only on the practice sessions of the upcoming grands prix.
“At 10am, when the FIA rules allow to work on the cars, the mechanics started to work on the F10 #7, replacing its engine,” said the statement from Ferrari.
“This is a completely precautionary step: the engine, used by Felipe Massa up to the qualifying yesterday afternoon shows, some abnormal parameters, but can still be used on the track, according to the applicable rules, during free practice sessions. The decision, taken last night, will not lead to any sanctions for the Brazilian driver, who will start from the first row,” added the release.
With each driver being allocated a maximum of 8 engines per season, such a move will not have an impact on Massa’s grid position right now, but in the late stages of the season. As far as the Bahrain race is concerned, he will start off from 2nd on the grid, ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso.
According to the GMM news agency, Saturday night also saw the start of a new 'parc ferme' procedure in F1, with cars zipped up in flyscreen-like covers in their garages.
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