Bottas to start Russian Grand Prix in 17th after change of power unit

Valtteri Bottas will start the Russian Grand Prix in 17th place on Sunday after Mercedes fitted his fifth power unit of the Formula One season.

Bottas took seventh place in qualifying at the Sochi Autodrom, a track where he had never previously qualified outside of the top four.

The Finn will start towards the back of the grid, though, due to a second penalty in as many races.

Mercedes revealed on the morning of the race: "Valtteri Bottas 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."

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

Championship leader Max Verstappen, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Williams' Nicholas Latifi will also have ground to make up after they took penalties for new power units.

Lando Norris claimed a shock maiden F1 pole ahead of Carlos Sainz, while George Russell will start in third place.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is fourth on the grid, primed to regain the championship lead from Verstappen, who holds a slender five-point advantage over the Briton.