Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas will be taking off from the back of the grid this afternoon after being issued a penalty for power unit changes.
His latest sanction will see him start the race from P17 for the expectedly rain-soaked Russian Grand Prix.
A spokesperson from Mercedes confirmed to the Official Formula One website that they made the decision to switch up Bottas’ power unit, while Max Verstappen will also be starting at the back after switching out for a fourth Honda power unit.
This marks the second time Bottas has changed his power unit, with the first change just two weeks ago at the Italian Grand Prix where he was forced to start at the back of the grid.
Taking to Twitter the team said; “UPDATE: Valtteri Bottas will start the #RussianGP from P17 after taking his fifth Power Unit of the season.
“The Team has taken the tactical opportunity to add another PU into VB’s pool for the remainder of the season.”
UPDATE: @ValtteriBottas will start the #RussianGP from P17 after taking his fifth Power Unit of the season.
The Team has taken the tactical opportunity to add another PU into VB's pool for the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/XEcq2ES6Fv
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) September 26, 2021
Bottas was seventh fastest during qualifying at the Sochi Autodrom on Saturday afternoon while his teammate Lewis Hamilton was in P4 when time ran out on.
Lando Norris will take off from his first-ever Formula One Pole Position, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in second and Williams’ George Russell in third.
All hope is not lost for the Finnish driver, and with his success rate at this track, he’s bound to fight his way up the grid from lights out.
Aside from Bottas, Red Bull’s Verstappen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and Williams’ Nicholas Latifi will all be racing from the back today with each taking on their own new power units.
