Bottas to start Belgian GP at the back
Valtteri Bottas is set to take a grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix after Mercedes confirmed it will introduce its upgraded Formula 1 engine at Spa.
Mercedes will give works drivers Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, plus its two customer teams Williams and Racing Point Force India, new engines for the first weekend after F1's summer break.
Bottas had already reached his seasonal limit for engine components after taking a fresh engine in Britain following a retirement in Austria caused by a hydraulic problem.
He will take a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, control electronics and energy store for the Belgian GP.
That means an automatic back-of-the-grid start, with Bottas set to share the final row with Nico Hulkenberg as Renault will fit a complete new power unit on the German's car.
The consolation for both drivers is Spa is a less punishing place to take such a penalty as overtaking is easier than other circuits.
Hamilton had let slip on Thursday that he would use Mercedes' new engine this weekend, and the team has now confirmed he will get a new combustion engine, turbo and MGU-H.
His title rival Sebastian Vettel will also benefit from a new Ferrari engine this weekend.
Ferrari has confirmed Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will have new combustion engines, while Vettel will also get a new turbocharger and MGU-H.
As well as giving Hulkenberg a complete set of components, the other Renault of Carlos Sainz will benefit from a new combustion engine.
Stoffel Vandoorne's McLaren will also be fitted with a new Renault combustion engine, plus a new turbo and MGU-H – like Sainz, Vandoorne's replacement V6 will be a new version of the previous specification, as Renault has not yet committed to introducing its final planned engine upgrade.
Share Or Save This Story
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Cadillac fix cooled F1 brakes by 100C – Valtteri Bottas
How was Valtteri Bottas so much slower than Sergio Perez in the Azerbaijan GP?
You Ask The Questions: Valtteri Bottas
The added consequence of George Russell's retirement in Malaysia
Why Toto Wolff’s $102,000 IWC watch can survive almost anything
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
What was "weird" about McLaren's poor performance at rough Sepang
Spire’s Jeff Dickerson about Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit: ‘Where is the proof?’
Charles Leclerc explains why Bahrain GP chaos has reinforced F1 driver fears
Redemption at Road Atlanta: Kevin Estre breaks IMSA victory curse in thrilling Petit Le Mans finish
How F1 let a golden opportunity slip at Sepang
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
You Ask The Questions: Emerson Fittipaldi
The wide world of strategy options expected in F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments