Formula 1 – Russian GP: Valtteri Bottas penalized on the grid for strategic reasons

Funny starting grid for the Russian GP. While Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are already at the back of the grid, they are joined by Valtteri Bottas. The Finn will start the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix in 17th position on Sunday, penalized for a strategic engine change intended to help his teammate Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes announced.

Bottas inherited a new engine in the previous round and already received a penalty. This change is therefore a “tactical opportunity”, explains the team. He will start him from 17th position on the grid (rather than 7th in which he qualified), closer to world championship leader Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 20th and last because he was penalized for having also changed engine.

Bottas will thus be able to slow down the Dutchman in his progress towards the front of the race and leave the field open to the Briton Hamilton, fourth on the starting grid and just five lengths behind Verstappen in the drivers’ standings. Departure is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

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