> No engine change for Kimi

Ferrari has decided not to change Kimi Raikkonen's engine before qualifying.

The Finn had suffered a small water leak in the closing stages of the Australian Grand Prix, and suggested earlier in the week that he might have to accept a 10-place grid penalty if the team felt that a new engine was required.

But Ferrari boss Jean Todt told reporters at Sepang that this would not be necessary, and that the story had become over-hyped.

"The rumours started from speculation," said Todt.

"It is true in the last laps of the Australian Grand Prix, Kimi had a problem with a pipe and he lost some water - very little water.

"We did some more checks, then Kimi simulated the problems during the free testing here in Malaysia and nothing demonstrated that we should change our programme - which is to keep the same engine for Malaysia."

While Ferrari has acknowledged that not changing the engine is a slight risk given the Melbourne problem, the team thinks that a precautionary change - and the midfield start that would guarantee - would be a greater gamble.

Source: itv-f1