Both David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello have been relegated to the back row of the Sepang grid following engine changes to their respective Red Bull and Honda cars. Coulthard’s engine was changed prior to qualifying it has emerged, and was made as a precaution. Barrichello’s power unit was ’switched’ when the experienced Brazilian was forced to change to the spare car after his race car developed a gearbox problem mid-qualy. The mechanics did not have time to change the engines over as the spare was set up for Button, and thus Barrichello has essentially changed engines.
This is a bitter blow for Rubens who is having a disastrous weekend, along with team mate Jenson Button, and the expected improvements to the RA107 have not worked to their advantage. Both drivers appear dejected and the team is taking quite a lot of heat from the media over their non-performance.
There is very little I can say, I am so disappointed. Starting from the back of the grid tomorrow I can only see what opportunities arise in the race and that is the best we can expect. Rubens Barrichello.
Is it time to start nick-naming Honda The Earth Movers?
