F1 News
Verstappen expects unpredictable race: 'It remains difficult to overtake'.
- GPblog.com
Max Verstappen will start from twentieth today for the Russian Grand Prix. After his grid penalty in Italy following his clash with Lewis Hamilton, it was already rumoured that the Dutchman would go for a new engine in Sochi and on Friday that news was confirmed. Mercedes' decision to bring Valtteri Bottas to the back of the grid with new engine parts has created a problem for the Dutchman in his overtaking race.
"Hopefully it will go well. At the moment it's still a bit difficult to predict. It will definitely be tough to catch up, but you never know what can happen here. We will definitely need some luck. I'm looking forward to it though, as it's been a long time since I've had to start from the back. Hopefully we will have a good race," Verstappen explained in the Build-Up to the Russian Grand Prix.
Verstappen not looking at Mercedes
Mercedes announced on the morning of the Grand Prix that they are taking a tactical decision and replacing Valtteri Bottas' engine for a fifth new engine. This means Bottas will start from seventeenth place, just ahead of Verstappen. He himself is not bothered about it though, when asked what he expects from this."You would have to ask them (Mercedes) that. I just need to focus on my own race", the Dutchman concludes.