Ferrari has nearly solved the engine problem that threw its Malaysian GP into chaos, according to team principal Jean Todt.

The Frenchman says the V8’s technical glitch, apparently involving the cracking of pistons, should not recur at Melbourne’s Albert Park track next week.

Scarlet new-boy Felipe Massa had two engine changes (and penalties) following the opening race in Bahrain, while at Sepang Michael Schumacher suffered a similar fate with his V8.

However, in the race, both cars made it to the chequer.

“I think we already did one step forward,” Todt told reporters, “(and) I think we’ve understood a lot of things”.

“We have a specific failure that comes from the (pistons but) at the moment we are still analyzing the problems.”