Bottas starts from the back of the grid due to engine change
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- GPblog.com
Mercedes have opted to change Valtteri Bottas' engine. It means the Finn will start at the back of the grid in the Russian Grand Prix, although he will remain ahead of Max Verstappen .
Bottas had a disappointing qualifying session. The teammate of Lewis Hamilton drove the seventh fastest time, partly due to the weather conditions, leaving Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso behind him. Since an engine change was unavoidable for him, Mercedes decided to do that in Russia.
The engine change does not mean that Bottas will start from the back of the grid. Due to the grid penalty imposed on Verstappen in Italy, the Dutchman has to start from the last position. Bottas also outperformed Charles Leclerc and Nicholas Latifi in qualifying, both of whom also had their engines changed, meaning he will start the race in 17th place.
Hamilton goes for the lead
Hamilton is likely to regain the lead of the World Championship this weekend. The British driver will start the race from fourth position, while the question is how many points Verstappen will get.