Engine change for Massa

(GMM) Ferrari has made a precautionary engine change to Felipe Massa's car prior to the start of the Australian grand prix.

The Brazilian struck two separate gearbox problems aboard his F2007 on Saturday; first in free practice, where a faulty component was identified and changed.

The same electronic glitch recurred during Q2, however, relocating Massa, 25, to a lowly sixteenth on the grid despite teammate Kimi Raikkonen's pole winning pace.

Only able to drop a maximum of six places, then, Ferrari has decided to give Massa the advantage of a fresh V8 unit for the race.