. On inspecting Nick Heidfeld's engine, which was supposed to do its second Grand Prix this weekend in Spain, the BMW technicians on Thursday discovered a defective exhaust valve. The fresh BMW P84/5 engine which was scheduled to be installed in Mark Webber's car for this weekend, is of the same specification.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen explains: "The faulty exhaust valve could cause retirement in the race and therefore we have decided not to take that risk. At present two engines of a new specification are being assembled in Munich. We will bring them to Barcelona and install them in the cars prior to the third free practice on Saturday."

As a consequence, Nick will take on the entire responsibility for the team's set-up work and tyre evaluation during today's free practice sessions. The German is going to be penalised for the unscheduled engine change by loosing places on the grid.

As a consequence, Mark will not take part in Friday's practice sessions. He will start with the fresh engine on Saturday morning and in this way he avoids any unscheduled engine change and the resulting penalty imposition.