Ferrari allowed to modify engines for 'reliability purposes'
Discussion
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83320
Ferrari has been given the green light by the FIA to make modifications to its engine on reliability grounds following the problems it has had in the early stages of the season.
Both Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa have suffered engine issues in the opening flyaway events - with Alonso suffering two blow-ups that has left him in particular on the back foot in terms of his supply for the season.
With customer team Sauber having also encountered its share of engine issues, Ferrari conducted a detailed investigation into the matter after the Chinese Grand Prix.
And after finding out that there was an intrinsic problem with the design of the engine, Ferrari applied to the governing body to be able to make some improvements to the power units on reliability grounds.
The Maranello outfit was duly given approval and the modifications will be ready in time to be fitted to the F10 cars at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.
Although Ferrari has not outlined exactly what the issues were with the engine, they are believed to relate to air consumption, which could have been caused by leaking pneumatic valves.
A statement by Ferrari said: "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. The team therefore requested and received authorisation 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.
"While since China, everyone in the Gestione Sportiva has been working hard as always on their various areas of activity, it is fair to say that over the past weeks, 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."
The Spanish GP will also see Ferrari fit the full version of the F-Duct to both drivers' cars for the first time in practice, although a decision about whether the concept will be used for qualifying and the race will only be made after the results of the Friday sessions are in.
Ferrari has been given the green light by the FIA to make modifications to its engine on reliability grounds following the problems it has had in the early stages of the season.
Both Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa have suffered engine issues in the opening flyaway events - with Alonso suffering two blow-ups that has left him in particular on the back foot in terms of his supply for the season.
With customer team Sauber having also encountered its share of engine issues, Ferrari conducted a detailed investigation into the matter after the Chinese Grand Prix.
And after finding out that there was an intrinsic problem with the design of the engine, Ferrari applied to the governing body to be able to make some improvements to the power units on reliability grounds.
The Maranello outfit was duly given approval and the modifications will be ready in time to be fitted to the F10 cars at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.
Although Ferrari has not outlined exactly what the issues were with the engine, they are believed to relate to air consumption, which could have been caused by leaking pneumatic valves.
A statement by Ferrari said: "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. The team therefore requested and received authorisation 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.
"While since China, everyone in the Gestione Sportiva has been working hard as always on their various areas of activity, it is fair to say that over the past weeks, 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."
The Spanish GP will also see Ferrari fit the full version of the F-Duct to both drivers' cars for the first time in practice, although a decision about whether the concept will be used for qualifying and the race will only be made after the results of the Friday sessions are in.
Asterix said:
Eh?
What's the point of have the rules that if you can't do the job properly yet get another chance?
+1What's the point of have the rules that if you can't do the job properly yet get another chance?
Maybe the Sauber factor helped them. As long as its not any quicker then i dont actually care but again shows that the Ferrari boys with all there Millions still cant seem to get it right.
CampDavid said:
Blah Blah Blah Blah Conspiracy Blah Blah Blah Blah Max getting sodomised by a prostitute Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Schumacher didn't win any of his titles fairly Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Ferrari International Assistance
Whilst I'm no fan of Ferrari, this man speaks the truth. Other teams have made modifications for reliability reasons in the past, so there's no reason that Ferrari shouldn't, especially when they've had so many failures.VladD said:
CampDavid said:
Blah Blah Blah Blah Conspiracy Blah Blah Blah Blah Max getting sodomised by a prostitute Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Schumacher didn't win any of his titles fairly Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Ferrari International Assistance
Whilst I'm no fan of Ferrari, this man speaks the truth. Other teams have made modifications for reliability reasons in the past, so there's no reason that Ferrari shouldn't, especially when they've had so many failures.VladD said:
CampDavid said:
Blah Blah Blah Blah Conspiracy Blah Blah Blah Blah Max getting sodomised by a prostitute Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Schumacher didn't win any of his titles fairly Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Ferrari International Assistance
Whilst I'm no fan of Ferrari, this man speaks the truth. Other teams have made modifications for reliability reasons in the past, so there's no reason that Ferrari shouldn't, especially when they've had so many failures.Anyway, if that's the case, why bother with the rules at all.
VladD said:
CampDavid said:
Blah Blah Blah Blah
this man speaks the truth. 
Seriously, has this happened with another team in the past? I remember Renault were allowed to tune their engines mid season for equilovency purposes (or somesuch) last year, but to replace parts to make more reliable?
Oh, and if the parts are more reliable then they will be faster- they will allow themselves to use more rpm, hence more speed. So that's a given.
They're allowed to fix their reliability issues under the rules, that's fine and it'd be a pretty ridiculous situation if a team was stuck with an engine that doesn't work and no opportunity to fix it.
What I can't understand is why, with engine development 'frozen', are Ferrari engines that were reliable enough last season exploding with some regularity this year?
What I can't understand is why, with engine development 'frozen', are Ferrari engines that were reliable enough last season exploding with some regularity this year?
Renault updated their engine this year for relaiability. Ferrari can do the same, fair on bouth couunts.
The interesting bit is that the Ferrari was reliable lat year, and nothing has changed (to the engine). Shows just how on the limit packaging / cooling is with the current aero demands.
The interesting bit is that the Ferrari was reliable lat year, and nothing has changed (to the engine). Shows just how on the limit packaging / cooling is with the current aero demands.
FlatPack said:
What I can't understand is why, with engine development 'frozen', are Ferrari engines that were reliable enough last season exploding with some regularity this year?
That's the bit I'm pondering as well. If it worked OK as a design at the end of last season and the engine design is frozen...what changed that now needs to be "fixed for reliability"? Same for Renault last year.I think it just shows the hole in the regulations that teams can't be competitive with the best engine AND reliable. So in order to be competitive they run the engine too hard, then it's unreliable and they are allowed to make changes. It's just engine development under the table.
As said, they're allowed to make changes subject to the agreement of the FIA. It's not performance affecting so I don't think it's much of an issue. Renault were actually allowed to make some adjustments to their lump in the name of performance this year which, if anything, is a bigger story.
I think some people may react differently to it being a Ferrari that's piloted by everyone's favourite Spaniard rather than, say, the number two McLaren
I think some people may react differently to it being a Ferrari that's piloted by everyone's favourite Spaniard rather than, say, the number two McLaren
williamp said:
VladD said:
CampDavid said:
Blah Blah Blah Blah
this man speaks the truth. Seriously, has this happened with another team in the past? I remember Renault were allowed to tune their engines mid season for equilovency purposes (or somesuch) last year, but to replace parts to make more reliable?
Oh, and if the parts are more reliable then they will be faster- they will allow themselves to use more rpm, hence more speed. So that's a given.
Munter said:
FlatPack said:
What I can't understand is why, with engine development 'frozen', are Ferrari engines that were reliable enough last season exploding with some regularity this year?
That's the bit I'm pondering as well. If it worked OK as a design at the end of last season and the engine design is frozen...what changed that now needs to be "fixed for reliability"? Same for Renault last year.I think it just shows the hole in the regulations that teams can't be competitive with the best engine AND reliable. So in order to be competitive they run the engine too hard, then it's unreliable and they are allowed to make changes. It's just engine development under the table.
DeadMeat_UK said:
Munter said:
FlatPack said:
What I can't understand is why, with engine development 'frozen', are Ferrari engines that were reliable enough last season exploding with some regularity this year?
That's the bit I'm pondering as well. If it worked OK as a design at the end of last season and the engine design is frozen...what changed that now needs to be "fixed for reliability"? Same for Renault last year.I think it just shows the hole in the regulations that teams can't be competitive with the best engine AND reliable. So in order to be competitive they run the engine too hard, then it's unreliable and they are allowed to make changes. It's just engine development under the table.
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