2009 MONZA: NEWS FLASH BEFORE RACE

BRAWN GP:
The Brawn team has decided not to change Rubens Barrichello's gearbox, meaning that the Brazilian can start from fifth place on the grid as planned. There had been debate over whether to make an unscheduled gearbox switch last night due to the damage Barrichello's car sustained during the Belgian Grand Prix, where it caught fire at the end of the race following an oil leak. But Brawn GP confirmed this morning that it would keep the original gearbox in the car and avoid the five place grid demotion that Barrichello would have received.

TORO ROSSO:
Jaime Alguersuari will start from the pit lane for the Italian Grand Prix after his team made some changes to his car following qualifying. Scuderia Toro Rosso replaced engine cooling panels on his car, plus removed a gurney flap from the upper element of the rear wing. As these parts modify the car, the rules state he must start from the pitlane. He had qualified in 20th and last place anyway, and had also received a gearbox change after final practice.

BMW SAUBER:
Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld have escaped a penalty for requiring engine changes on their BMW Sauber cars, as the replacement units are within the eight engines that the drivers are allowed to use over the course of the season.