FIA to check Massa’s Spa engine

UPDATE (GMM) The Ferrari V8 fitted to Felipe Massa's car at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend was on Thursday passed by the FIA following a routine check during Monza scrutineering as part of the engine freeze. FIA officials compared the sealed 2.4 liter unit with the engine submitted for homologation by the Italian team earlier this year and found no anomalies, reports said.

09/09/08 (GMM) After Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes-Benz unit was checked and given the all-clear following the German grand prix, the FIA is moving ahead with its inspections to test manufacturers' conformity with the engine freeze.

The Hamilton check was the first in 2008, and F1's governing body announced after the Belgian grand prix that the 2.4 liter Ferrari power plant fitted to Felipe Massa's car will be the next to go under the microscope.

"These checks will be done before the Italian GP," the FIA confirmed.

The Spanish sports daily Marca, meanwhile, reports that at a bosses meeting at Spa-Francorchamps last week, the issue of apparent engine performance disparity within the engine freeze was discussed.