Who has changed engines?

[Adam43]

Here is the latest thread about the new rules: http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66751 (for the rights and wrongs)

However, do we know who has actually changed? There are conflicting reports. Some are saying Michael has, some haven't on the forum. I am struggling to find concrete info on this. You'd think with all the uproar there would be more about what the rule has actual done

It has been mentioned on the forum that Michael Schumacher has changed his engine, but autosport.com said not yeaterday:

Originally Posted by Ferrari spokesman

Michael will be using the same engine as he used in the first race of the season in Australia.

Crash net are also running this story.

The other candidates are:
Button, Sato, Heidfeld and Albers.

Presumably the BAR's still going ahead with the change?

I've tried the usual websites and a google news search and there is nothing concrete. Have I missed it? Or is it not reported!?

[alfasud]

I've heard 2 different reports about Michael Schumacher:

1. Ferrari won't change the engine because then they would need to use the same engine for 2 of the hottest races - Malaysia and Bahrain.
2. Ferrari won't change the engine because if they use the Melboune engine in Malaysia, this will give them the option of running the F2005 in Bahrain without penalty.

Given that his engine has covered less km's than most of the field, and seemed strong when the Ferrari retired, there is probably little to be gained by changing and much to lose. However, Ferrari probably feel it's in their best interest to keep people guessing whether Michael will be racing on an engine that only has to last to the end of the race, or one that has another race to go.

Is there any rule that says they have to tell anyone other than the FIA?

BAR may change - given their stated goal of winning races, this might be considered an opportunity to gain an advantage... even if only for one race.

[Super Tourer]

Acording to Planet F1, both BAR's and both Minardi's are changing engines.

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/story_18892.shtml
http://www.planet-f1.com/news/story_18893.shtml

I've had a quick squint throught the team press releases but they don't mention anything about engine changes. No word on Heidfeld either.

[Cougar]

I found this but cant see anything on Michael yet...

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/050312/13/9mca.html


hang on a bit further down they have this...

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/050318/23/9r9v.html

[903cc]

Minardi are using the old european engines so they would have to change them. They will not get the Cossie that the red Bulls are using till the new chassis as it does not fit. So they are probably the least likely to go 2 races at this stage.

[Logrence]

I've just watched the practice sessions on German television...

Oh yeah. They said that Schumacher hasn't changed his engine - this is leading to speculation that Schumacher will be driving the F2005 in Bahrain.

Reason? If he had changed his engine (which he was entitled to do) for Malaysia he'd've been stuck with it for 2 races, the old engine doesn't fit in the new car.

We can therefore expect that Ferrari will possibly introduce the new car for the next race.

[N I Tram]

If Michael changes at round 2, he gets a new one at round 4 (assuming no failures before then), so he wouldn't be able to have a new one at round 5 without a penalty. Therefore, if Ferrari want to introduce the new engine in both cars at the same race, they can't take a new enigne this time. The observation that the next 2 races are likely to be hot, and would put a lot of stress on an engine, is interesting though.

[f1_carzy]

Even in the press conference, Ross Brawn talked about "spare mileage" on MS car; so MS is still running with old engines. Most probabaly both he and Rubinho will be on F2005 from bahrain (if they are happy with testing next week)

[pirenzo]

WHat happens if all the teams change engines?
Surely they'll all get 10 place penalties so it won't make any difference anyway...

[steve_r]

Originally Posted by pirenzo

WHat happens if all the teams change engines?
Surely they'll all get 10 place penalties so it won't make any difference anyway...

Up the revolution!

Except 9 teams would all change their engines, and Ferrari wouldn't!

[ralf fan]

Ferrari were saying during off-season that they will introduce the new car in Spain which is Round-5.... meaning they can use new engine as it is an odd numbered race....

I think this is probably the reason why they have opted to go this way...also Ferrari engines have been bullet proof over the last few years so i dont think they will be as concerned with realiability.

[BootsOntheSide]

Ferrari sweeping the front row, and everyone else starting right behind them with new engines, more fuel and fresher tyres, wouldn't give Ferrari an advantage, other than at Monaco and other hard-to-overtake tracks. It'd be an interesteing mass boycott if the teams find that the new engine rule doesn't work, but then they agreed to it in the first place.

[Snrub]

Interesting that Minardi are running new engines for next race. In the above linked article Minardi sas "We’re still using the old Cosworth engine..." That's what I remember hearing before, that they were running the same spec engine as last year! That probably means that it's impossible for them to finish two races with the same engine and that their initial plan was to "retire" and use the rules the same way Ferrari, BAR, etc. decided to use them.

[Marbot]

Minardi finshed the race in Melbourne,but since they will undoubtedly qualify at the back of the grid they won't mind taking a 10 place penalty for changing the engine whenever they like.

[Don K]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

Minardi finshed the race in Melbourne, ...

Friesacher may have finished the race in Melbourne, but Albers certainly didn't.
He lost seond gear just before the start, and first gear at his first pits stop.

[Adam43]

Who did actually change engines was confirmed in the scrutineering report/ although this came out after the GP:

Originally Posted by FIA scruteneering report

The following drivers will start the second Event of the 2005 Formula One World Championship with a new
engine:
Number Car Driver
03 BAR Honda Jenson Button
04 BAR Honda Takuma Sato
08 Williams BMW Nick Heidfeld
21 Minardi Cosworth Christijan Albers