Ferrari still baffled by engine failure
3K
By Adam Cooper Thursday, October 12th 2006, 09:18 GMT
Ferrari remain baffled about why Michael Schumacher's engine blew up in the
Japanese Grand Prix after discovering the cause was a valve failure not
experienced before.
Although there had been suggestions that Schumacher's retirement could have
been related to the problem Felipe Massa suffered at the Chinese Grand Prix, a
full analysis of the engine at Maranello on Wednesday has now ruled that out.
Ferrari have discovered that Schumacher's blow-up was caused by a failure in
the upper part of a valve - and is the first time this season that it has
occurred. To add to the team's frustrations, the part has been used for several
races already.
Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni told autosport.com that the Italian outfit
were now launching further investigations to try and work out exactly why the
problem occurred.
"It's the first time we had it, and it's nothing to do with what happened to
Felipe's engine," he said. "We're still doing more analysis to understand why
there was this failure, but it was nothing to do with the other one. That was
in the same area, but it was a completely different thing.
"It was not a part that had been recently introduced, so this is why it's
strange. It happened in Suzuka, but it could have happened in Hockenheim. It's
the kind of thing that can always happen. It's just a shame that it happened
when it did."
Schumacher's engine failure has all but killed off his bid to secure an eighth
world championship this year. He needs to win the Brazilian Grand Prix, with
Alonso out of the points, to clinch the crown.
Ferrari still have an outside chance of the constructors' championship though.
--
3K
Forza Ferrari!