Mercedes' Sochi engines survived race - report

May 5 (GMM) The engines used by Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton last Sunday at Sochi can be used again.

That is the news of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, following Mercedes' admission that both drivers suffered reliability problems during the Russian grand prix.

The team claimed on Wednesday that Briton Hamilton somehow finished the Sochi race despite losing all water pressure.

Auto Motor und Sport said that, in the past days at Brixworth, the cause of the problem was identified as a crack in the carbon, probably due to fatigue.

"We do not believe that the engine has suffered too much or been damaged irreparably," team chairman Niki Lauda said.

As for the strange values identified by in-race telemetry on Rosberg's winning engine in Russia, the German report quoted Lauda as adding: "We understand the problem and will do differently in the future."

Meanwhile, Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene left Russia concerned that Sebastian Vettel's crashes with Daniil Kvyat might have caused damage to the gearbox.

According to Speed Week, an investigation showed that there was damage, and so a new gearbox will be installed for Barcelona. The German driver will not suffer a penalty.

As for the current Mercedes versus Ferrari pecking order, Toto Wolff warned that not too much should be read into Sochi.

"Our conclusion is that, if our lead was bigger at Sochi, then primarily it was due to the circuit characteristics," said the Mercedes team boss.