Ferrari, boosted by a third place for Kimi Raikkonen, saw their test driver Luca Badoer trail in 17th in his first race as replacement for the injured Massa.

But the Italian team look like sticking with Badoer - at least for the race in Spa - while scotching speculation of a possible return after all this season for the retired Michael Schumacher.

'I'm happy he is training, but what I can absolutely rule out is that Michael can return this year as a racing driver,' team principal Stefano Domenicali said.

Seven-time Schumacher had been set to return to F1 in Valencia but abandoned his comeback because of doubts over a neck injury suffered in a motorcycling racing accident earlier in the year.

Domenicali came to the defence of 38-year-old Badoer, saying: 'It would have been tough for Michael too, because it's a difficult track and it's new.'