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The Russian Grand Prix is all set to commence on the evening of 26 September at the Sochi Autodrom. All teams look prepped up with their players ready for wheel-to-wheel competition. However, previous year’s winner and Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has received a major blow ahead of the main race.
In the latest update, it has been reported that Bottas has received a grid penalty for this year’s Russian Grand Prix. He will have to start the Russian Grand Prix from the 17th on the grid due to a power unit change. Earlier, on Saturday afternoon, Bottas qualified P7 at the Sochi Autodrom, a track on which he has never qualified outside of the top four. Notably, Bottas’ power unit was also changed for the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago. A Mercedes spokesperson had then said that it was a tactical move.
Apart from Bottas, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen’s vehicle has also been upgraded with a fourth Honda power unit. This will force him to start from the rear of the grid. Ferrari has also announced that it will debut its new unit through Charles Leclerc’s vehicle at the Russian GP. Williams’ Nicholas Latifi will also accompany these three at the back of the grid having received his own new power unit.
Verstappen and Hamilton will hope for good competition post Monza crash
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton will be charged up for a fierce competition after what happened at the Italian GP. The crash forced both the drivers to walk off the track but they still hold the top two positions in drivers’ rankings. Hamilton has enjoyed racing at the Sochi track as he holds the record for the fastest lap while Verstappen just finished at the top of the podium at Belgian GP. Bottas has been forced to take the back of the grid but he will want to repeat his performance from 2020.