Valtteri Bottas to Take Tactical Russian GP Penalty for Engine Change

Valtteri Bottas to Take Tactical Russian GP Penalty for Engine Change

Valtteri Bottas

After Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas becomes the latest driver to start the Russian Grand Prix from the last position as now he too has opted for a power unit, which is deemed as a ‘tactical move’ by the reigning world champion, Mercedes. In simpler terms., The move is a tactical one from Mercedes as part of a bid to thwart Max Verstappen’s recovery bid from the very back of the grid for a complete change of engine components earlier in the weekend. 

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff indicated after qualifying that Bottas could take a strategic engine penalty to try and compromise Verstappen’s charge through the field and therefore boost Hamilton’s title aspirations. 

Toto Wolff on Valtteri Bottas’ Grid Penalty 

Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas

“We are still thinking about possible strategic decisions to be taken in the next hour or so on what the best and quickest race strategy could be for him,” Toto Wolff said on Saturday in Sochi as quoted by Crash.Net.F1. 

FS Video
Valtteri Bottas with Toto Wolff
Valtteri Bottas with Toto Wolff

Mercedes say the decision gives Bottas another fresh engine in his pool for the remaining eight races of the year and feel it will have little impact on his own prospects for the race. Lewis Hamilton will start the Russian GP from fourth on the grid after an error-strewn qualifying blew his chances of claiming pole position.

Also Read: “Nothing is Lost”: Max Verstappen Doesn’t Think Russian GP Penalty is…

Also Read: Helmut Marko Drops Further Hint Which Could Give Lewis Hamilton Extra…