Renault Change Fisichella's Engine

The team discovered a minor problem with the Italian's RS25 engine after the Italian Grand Prix but wanted to conduct further running in practice this weekend to be sure it could not be fixed.

With Friday's running hampered by wet weather, Renault were only able to conduct that evaluation this morning and they have now decided that Fisichella will need a new engine.

"Our running this morning confirmed we need to change Fisico's engine," explained Denis Chevrier, Head of Engine Operations.

"We know that Monza and Spa are the most demanding pairing of the season for the engines, and after the race in Monza we suspected that there was a problem with the engine.

"We ran yesterday and today to assess its full extent, and we have found a valve problem that means we cannot be confident the unit will last the full race distance.

"The only sensible precaution to take is therefore to change the engine."

Fisichella finished third in last weekend's Italian Grand Prix and will start today's qualifying session third from last. However, the engine change now means he will be dropped 10 grid places for tomorrow's race.