Bottas to begin sixteenth in Sochi after engine change

Formulation One F1 – Russian Grand Prix – Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Russia – September 23, 2021 Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas forward of the Russian GP REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Final yr’s race winner Valtteri Bottas will begin Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix from sixteenth place after Mercedes modified his automobile’s engine and energy unit parts.

Mercedes mentioned it was “taking a tactical alternative,” with Pink Bull’s championship chief Max Verstappen already behind the sector because of engine penalties.

The 15-place drop for Bottas from seventh in qualifying would usually have despatched the Finn to the again of the grid however Verstappen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Williams Nicholas Latifi and Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi even have penalties and can all begin behind him.

Verstappen strains up twentieth, Leclerc nineteenth, Latifi 18th and Giovinazzi seventeenth.

Mercedes lead Pink Bull by 18 factors within the constructors’ standings after 14 of twenty-two rounds.

Verstappen is 5 factors away from Mercedes’ seven instances world champion Lewis Hamilton, who certified fourth and is searching for a record-extending l00th grand prix win at a circuit the place Mercedes have received each race because the first in 2014.

Requested whether or not he felt Mercedes would possibly attempt to use Bottas to dam him from making up positions, Verstappen mentioned that was a query for them to reply.

“I’ve to simply focus alone race and simply attempt to make one of the best of it,” mentioned the Dutch 23-year-old.

McLaren’s Lando Norris begins on pole with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz alongside and Williams’ George Russell third.

RELATED STORIES

Learn Subsequent

Do not miss out on the most recent information and knowledge.

For suggestions, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.