ITN
Reliability fears hit McLaren
Reliability fears hit McLaren
McLaren's bid to avenge last season's world championship agony began with fears of more reliability woes during the second practice session in Bahrain. Last year's runner-up Kimi Raikkonen, whose 2005 title challenge was ruined by reliability problems, was forced to park his McLaren on the track just 12 laps into the second practice session of the day. Initial worries over an engine problem, which would have brought a ten-place grid penalty if changed, proved unfounded, with the team blaming an electrical gremlin. However, Raikkonen's team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya arrived back at the McLaren pits after finishing 13th in that session complaining bitterly of a failing engine. And the Colombian, who is hoping for a better second season with McLaren, said: 'We don't know what is going on but running on the same revs I am about seven kilometres per hour down on Kimi with the same aerodynamic package. 'Unless we want to finish about 10th or 12th then we should think about changing the engine to be honest but it is not my call. I think we will be okay in the race but on one lap we are struggling.' But just a few minutes later, McLaren team boss Ron Dennis insisted that all was well with his Mercedes engines, adding: 'The engines are absolutely fine. There is no difference between the engines - there is a difference between the gearing. 'When you run in lower revs you end up with less than optimised 1/8engine 3/8 mapping so it does make the engine a little uncomfortable to drive. 'When you move into racing and qualifying, the engine is different. The two engines are exactly the same, our engines are fine.' Dennis did admit to frustration after flying Finn Raikkonen was forced to abandon his car on the track when it came to a sudden halt. The McLaren boss admitted: 'It's a bit frustrating with the electrical failure on Kimi's car which is the first time in several years we have had that kind of failure. 'I'm not too concerned about that. We've had a lot of reliability over the last few weeks but no-one is perfect. It is very frustrating for us.' While McLaren toiled and world champions Renault held back to keep their engines fresh, Honda test driver Anthony Davidson took centre stage with the fastest lap. Former world champion Michael Schumacher was second quickest with new team-mate Felipe Massa fourth to hint at a return to form for Ferrari. But Schumacher, who relinquished his title meekly last year, still fears Renault and his successor Alonso, who was fifth fastest. The 37-year-old German said: 'I still reckon there are four teams capable of winning even if today perhaps some of them didn't want to reveal all their potential. 'What is clear however is that Renault seem to be very quick straight out of the box which gives them an edge.' Alonso took to the track for the first time with the number one on his Renault and his brief run hinted at a potential repeat of his 2005 win in Bahrain. The Spaniard said: 'It was a special moment to go out on the track with the number one on the car. I think we can have a competitive weekend.'
ITN | March 10, 2006
