Vettel to practice with Bahrain engine in Melbourne

The Renault engine with which Sebastian Vettel limped his Red Bull to fourth place in Bahrain last weekend will be fitted to the German’s car at the beginning of the forthcoming Australian grand prix.

A faulty spark plug in the unit caused the 22-year-old, who had started from pole position, to relinquish his lead to all three eventual podium sitters at Sakhir on Sunday.

It is the believed the engine itself was not damaged, and it will be used in Friday free practice in Melbourne, according to Germany’s Auto Bild Motorsport.

Current F1 rules permit the use of eight engines for the entire 2009 season, with no engine needing to be used for qualifying and the race at consecutive events.

Red Bull is therefore expected to fit a fresh engine for Vettel ahead of qualifying in Melbourne, with the Bahrain unit to return to the RB6 probably at a less arduous event in 2010.

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