Schumacher easy on engine during Malysia GP practices (ANSA) - Sepang, March 17 - Ferrari played it safe in the first two practice sessions for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix here preferring to avoid excessive strain on its motors and save its fresh tires for qualifying and the race .

Speaking after the two practice sessions, Ferrari's Michael Schumahcer said "I think we can say we're all set. I'm sure I can battle for not only pole position but also for a victory on Sunday" .

"At the moment there's no risk of having to change the engine. Still we need to play our cards right. I think this is a good track for our car and our tires seem right," he added .

Ferrari's major concern was its new V8 engine which had problems at the Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain last Sunday .


The engine in the second Ferrari had to be changed after Sunday's race which meant that, because of the two-race-one-engine rule, Felipe Massa will lose ten positions on the grid .

Massa's engine was said to have suffered from the same problems which apparently caused David Coulthard to blow the Ferrari V8 in his Red Bull right after he crossed the finish line in Bahrain. The Scotsman will also be penalised ten grid positions for changing his engine. Had it blown before the finish he would have been able to change it without penalty .

Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn would not go into detail on what the V8's problems were but he did say that "Bahrain's heat had nothing to do with it" .

What was important, he added, was that Schumacher's motor did not have problems. Friday's first practice session saw not only Schumacher take it slow but also the other leading contenders, including the driver who last year broke Schumacher's five-year title streak, Renault's Fernando Alonso .

Schumacher opted to use old tires because he and Brawn were more interested in the car's setup than its speed and regulations limit the number of tire sets team can bring for a Grand Prix weekend .

In the second practice everyone was a little faster and Alonso was the first among the official drivers. However, Massa was right on his tail followed by McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, who in Bahrain started last in the grid but ended up placing third behind Schumacher and winner Alonso .

Speaking after the two practice sessions, Schumacher said "I think we can say we're all set. I'm sure I can battle for not only pole position but also for a victory on Sunday" .

"At the moment there's no risk of having to change the engine. Still we need to play our cards right. I think this is a good track for our car and our tires seem right," he added .

There will be a third practice session Saturday morning before the afternoon qualifying .

The big question at Ferrari now is what strategy to adopt for Massa in view of this grid penalty .

"We'll decide tonight. One option is to have him start from the back but give him a lot of fuel. This is a good track for passing so starting from the back is not such a handicap," Brawn said .

Aside from the high heat and humidity, rain could also be a major factor for both qualifying and the race .

According to Brawn, "rain would help keep the motor cool and make it easier to pass. And if a safety car needs to be brought in that could change everything," he added .