By AFCA compilation
April 7 2009

Kubica had to see all the cars that were behind him on the grid go past him due to an awful start. A few kilometres into the race he came to a halt: it was probably a leakage in the pneumatic system caused that the Pole to retire. Theissen: ''It looks as if a cylinder bank dropped out. Already in the warm up lap Robert reported over the radio that the engine was making a funny noise.''

Prior to the season Theissen already warned: ''This year there will be more engine failures. Kubica's engine failure has got nothing to do with the fact the engines have greater life span now.'' The powerplant had only done 40 laps (220 km) anyway. Kubica now has seven engines left, one of which he has already used during the Australian GP.

The way the eight engines per driver are divided over the 17 races is a logistical challenge. BrawnGP, Ferrari and BMW Sauber tackle it like this: engine number 1 is used for the entire Australian GP weekend and during the Friday practice sessions in Malaysia, China and Bahrain. Engine number 2 is used on the Saturdays and Sundays of the Malaysian and Chinese Grand Prix' and will come to the end of its life span on Friday in Spain.

McLaren goes a different way: the engine used the entire weekend in Australia was also used in Malaysia for the entire weekend. It will still be used for Friday practice sessions but in China engine number 2 will be used.

Toro Rosso went a similar yet slightly different way. The Melbourne powerplant was not used in Malaysia on the Friday but was again mounted in the car for qualifying and the race. Engine number 2 that was already used on Friday will be used on the Saturdays and Sundays of the Chinese and Bahrain GP.