Ferrari look set to change Kimi Raikkonen s engine ahead of this weekend s racing at Silverstone. The Finnish driver suffered from a broken exhaust during the French Grand Prix and ended the race with part of the bodywork of his car burnt away.
Ferrari s team principal Stefano Domenicali has signalled that the team are likely to change Raikkonen s engine to minimise any problems during the race.
“As far as Kimi s engine is concerned and keeping the rules in mind, to avoid a penalty, I think that we will use a new unit to try and reduce the risk.â€
Under new rules, drivers are allowed one free engine change without penalty therefore if the team do decide to change the Finn s engine, he will not receive any form of penalty.
Domenicali has admitted also admitted that the team have thrown away several points this season through mistakes and poor reliability.
“Looking at the numbers we can be satisfied of what we have done until now, but we can’t forget that it wasn’t all that smooth,” he said on Ferrari’s official website. “We left some important points down the road, because of a lack of reliability or because of mistakes on every level. Our situation in the championship could be much better.
“Even during a weekend when our performance was much better than the one of our competitors, we risked to not reach our goal by a defect or some minor detail. We were able and also lucky to bring home Kimi’s car (in France). But this alarm bell has to keep us alert.”
Despite the mistakes and problems with reliability, Ferrari still have both drivers contesting the drivers championship. Domenicali has said that he is happy that both drivers are doing well and does not believe that having two drivers in the top four will hinder the team in any way.
“McLaren might have something up the sleeve in terms of performance, while BMW has shown some consistency in terms of results,†he continued. “As far as the drivers’ championship is concerned there are four drivers on the list. And we are glad that two come from our team.
“I hear from time to time that it might be difficult to have two drivers fighting against each other and at the same time against the drivers of the other teams. But I don’t agree at all.
“When you work in great harmony and transparency inside the team and having two drivers, who can fight for the title, I’d say it’s a resource and not a handicap.”
