BMW unsure about engine at Imola

The BMW Sauber F1 Team heads to Imola with caution as both drivers will be using the same engine as in Australia. The team already suffered some engine failures in the first three races of the season.

"Both Nick and Jacques will be using the same BMW P86 engines they finished with in Australia. With the short development time we had for the new engines, that continues to present a challenge for the team. Both engines are still at the stage of development we had reached prior to the race in Melbourne. And, with its high downforce requirement and uphill sections, Imola is a track which generally puts a lot of strain on the engines."

Earlier this season, Heidfeld and Villeneuve each blew up an engine during the race. BMW however fixed the problem but as both drivers will have to race their Melbourne specs the engines are still prone to failure of that specific problem. An engine change even before the race of Imola does therefore not seem unlikely.