Massa admits gearbox issue

Felipe Massa has verified that it was a gearbox problem which forced him to stop in Singapore Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday evening. As a result, Ferrari cars now bookend the grid and the Brazilian starts in 24th and last at the track on which he recorded its first pole position in 2008.

Having firstly suspected an engine issue, Massa stopped immediately in qualifying as his stricken Ferrari brought out the red flags.

“I had a problem with the gearbox, which seized unexpectedly without giving any warning and so I had to stop out on the track," he explained, now taking a 5-place grid penalty which naturally will not affect his lowly position.

“Now we have to understand exactly what happened. We will change the engine as a precaution, also taking into account the fact I am last on the grid.

“I’m expecting to have a very complicated race, especially as we are at a track where overtaking is very difficult, but it’s true that anything can always happen – rain, Safety Car, who knows!

“I am very disappointed of course because today we had a very competitive car, as Fernando (Alonso, pole-sitter) proved. I like this track but it seems that it does not bring me much luck."