Ferrari has opted to change the engine and gearbox on Felipe Massa's car however, since he failed to post a time in Q1 and was due to start from the very back of the grid, there is no real penalty.

The Brazilian's car ground to a halt during Q1, bringing out the red flags as the marshals pushed it to safety.

"I had a problem with the gearbox which seized unexpectedly, without giving any warning," said the Brazilian, "and so I had to stop out on the track. Now we have to understand exactly what happened. We will change the engine as a precaution, also taking into account the fact I am last on the grid.

"I'm expecting to have a very complicated race," he admitted, "especially as we are at a track where overtaking is very difficult, but it's true that anything can always happen: rain, safety car, who knows! I am very disappointed of course because today we had a very competitive car, as Fernando proved. I like this track but it seems that it does not bring me much luck..."

The change of engine means that Massa is now on his ninth engine of the season, the Brazilian having used up his allocated eight powerplants for the season.

It's worth noting that in Monaco, Fernando Alonso started from the pit lane after damaging his car during the morning's practice session. Starting the race from the pitlane, the Spaniard changed tyres at the end of the first lap as the Safety Car was brought out following Nico Hulkenberg's crash. The Ferrari driver subsequently finished sixth.