Engine penalty for Fisichella

Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella will start from the back of the grid for the Belgian Grand Prix as his car required an engine change after qualifying at Spa Francorchamps. The Italian qualified 11th and was due to line up one place behind teammate Heikki Kovalainen, but the demotion drops him to 22nd.

Renault has not yet confirmed the reason for the engine change but there didn't seem to be any immediate concerns after qualifying. Fisichella said that he had struggled with the car sliding around a lot but didn't indicate any possible technical or mechanical issues. As his engine was changed after qualifying he automatically goes to the back.

He's the second driver to be hit with a penalty this weekend; BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica had to have an engine change after this morning's practice session, when a failure stopped him on track before he had set a time. He qualified fifth so was demoted 10 places to 15th, but Fisichella's penalty means he moves up one to 14th.

The official starting grid will be published on Sunday morning.