Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld will have access to just one fresh penalty-free engine apiece over the season’s final four rounds after BMW confirmed that neither of the units that failed in qualifying at Monza can be used again.
The Hinwil-based squad suffered near simultaneous engine failures on its two cars during Q2 at the last race and investigations since last Saturday have traced the problems to a quality issue with the valve gear.
Both drivers have now been pushed precariously close to the eight engine limit, BMW confirming on Friday that both have just one fresh engine and several used ones for Singapore onwards.
Team principal Mario Theissen admits 10-place grid penalties for the use of a ninth new engine have become an even greater possibility.
“The cause of our engine problems in qualifying at Monza was a quality issue with the valve gear, and this means we can’t use either of the engines again,” he said.
“Both drivers ran their engines from Spa in Sunday’s race at Monza, which leaves them with one more new engine each and several used ones for the remainder of the season.
“The key question will now be whether these will be enough.
“If not, we will be forced to use a ninth engine and take a 10-place grid penalty as a result.”
Most teams are nearing the end of the new-for-2009 eight engine limit for each car as the season enters its final flyaway stretch.
Red Bull has been trying to avoid a 10-place engine penalty for championship hopeful Sebastian Vettel by limiting his practice mileage at Spa and Monza after the German suffered two engine failures in Valencia.
No driver has yet used a ninth engine so far in 2009
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