No Practice for Barrichello

The team, who won 15 of the 18 races last year on their way to a sixth Consecutive Constructors' title, fast-tracked the new machine into service two races early after seeing rivals Renault dominate the first two races.

But the car, despite being tested for more than one month, broke down on Barrichello before Friday's second session and although the team have been able to repair it they plan to fit a new gearbox once it arrives from Italy.

The team only have an F2004M as a spare car and, with the problem a fixable one, they decided to sit Barrichello out on both the final practice sessions to make sure he can put in a qualifying lap before the gearbox is replaced this evening.

A team spokesman said: "The team has repaired the gearbox but it is a temporary repair so we want to save it for first qualifying then replace it (overnight) with a new one when it arrives from Italy."

Ferrari are currently fourth in the Constructors' Championship with just 10 points from a possible 36 with Renault, Toyota and Red Bull Racing all ahead of them in the standings.