The Formula 1 season has barely got underway but there has already been a lot of talking points regarding drivers and teams, but the most recent of these regards Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, who may have to miss out on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after injuring his back on the bumpy Albert Park circuit. Williams will learn if Bottas will be cleared by doctors to race, on Sunday morning.
Valtteri Bottas Status in Doubt for the Australian GP
Street circuits are notorious for their tricky bumps, and Albert Park is no exception. Bottas first complained of his issue during the second part of qualifying, and is now in wait and see mode, as doctors examine if he will be able to take part in the first Grand Prix of the 2015 season. He has been take to a local hospital and Williams eagerly awaits the diagnosis of his condition.
Bottas has now gone to the local hospital for tests on his back injury. Diagnosis awaited, Williams say
— Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1) March 14, 2015
As Bottas took part in qualifying, no driver can take his place as per the regulations, so his car will be withdrawn from the event if he cannot suit up on Sunday.
If Valtteri Bottas, who qualified sixth, is forced to miss the Australian GP, this would leave just 17 cars taking part, after the two Manor cars failed to set a lap time, and did not ask the stewards to allow them onto the grid despite failing to beat the 107% rule.
Potential Revised Australian Grand Prix grid:
- Lewis Hamilton
- Nico Rosberg
- Felipe Massa
- Sebastian Vettel
- Kimi Raikkonen
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Carlos Sainz
- Romain Grosjean
- Pastor Maldonado
- Felipe Nasr
- Daniil Kvyat
- Max Verstappen
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Sergio Perez
- Marcus Ericsson
- Jenson Button
- Kevin Magnussen
Main Photo by Christopher Lee, courtesy of Getty Images
