Cosworth satisfied after Grand Prix return 16 Mar 2010
Cosworth are feeling positive after Rubens Barrichello clinched a world championship point at the Bahrain Grand Prix in his Cosworth-powered Williams. The engine supplier, returning to Formula One racing after a three-year absence, provided V8s to four teams in action at Sakhir - Williams, Lotus, Virgin and HRT.
“After many months of work developing and implementing our return as an engine supplier to Formula One it was good to finally get the racing underway,” said Mark Gallagher, general manager of the company’s F1 Business Unit. “It was satisfying to see all four of our teams in action.
"From an engine performance point of view, I think we can be very satisfied with the performance of the CA2010 in Bahrain. Both Williams’ drivers finished the race with Rubens picking up a point for tenth, while Lotus achieved a significant milestone in having both cars secure a classified finish. I have also spoken to several of the drivers who have given us positive and constructive feedback on the CA2010's performance and driveability.”
Although Lotus achieved their objective of a two-car classified finish in their debut race, fellow new teams Virgin and HRT both recorded double retirements at the Bahrain event. Gallagher, however, was pleased with progress.
“From a Cosworth perspective both teams worked well and although hampered by reliability issues, good progress was clearly being made,” he explained. “Virgin Racing have been able to take a lot of positives out of the weekend and Saturday’s qualifying performance demonstrated the potential in the Virgin-Cosworth VR01.
“In HRT’s case, the mere fact that they got two cars ready for the race was an achievement in itself and, in that respect, Cosworth’s provision of the full electronics solution in only three weeks was a key factor. Bruno Senna’s retirement was caused by a broken water fitting from the radiator which meant he lost all the water from his car. The implications of that failure on his engine were apparent for all to see and the engine is being returned to our headquarters.”
The four Cosworth-powered teams, and their rivals, will be back in action in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix, which will take place from March 26-28.
