Mercedes engines survived race Russia problems

The engines used by Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton during the Russian Grand Prix can be used again, despite apparent technical issues with the units which finished first and second on the day.

This is the finding of 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."