Di Grassi changes engine for race

As the new V8 is within the eight allowed before a penalty is incurred, di Grassi will be able to start from the 23rd place he achieved in qualifying yesterday rather than being put right to the back.

The Brazilian had complained of a lack of power in qualifying, where he was 1.2 seconds behind team-mate Timo Glock and beaten by Hispania's Bruno Senna.

"Despite the improvements that we made to the car set-up overnight, today has been very frustrating for me as we had an issue with the engine," said di Grassi.

"Timo was able to demonstrate the true potential of the package and so it was disappointing for me to end up so far away because of the problem."

Virgin's technical director Nick Wirth was confident that di Grassi would have been on Glock's pace - and ahead of both Hispanias - had his engine functioned correctly.

"The power loss from this engine is the sole reason that Lucas is so far behind Timo and having discussed the issue with Cosworth we have no other option but to change the engine for the race," Wirth said.