Bottas 'very optimistic' about driving in Malaysia

Valtteri Bottas' manager has admitted he is not sure the Williams driver will return to action next weekend in Malaysia. "I am well informed about it," said former double world champion Mika Hakkinen, who along with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is a member of Finn Bottas' management team.

Bottas had to sit out the season opener in Melbourne after tearing a disc in his back during qualifying. He is currently recuperating in Indonesia prior to the Malaysian grand prix. Fellow Finn Hakkinen said Bottas stressed his back under the heavy braking loads in F1, which was then worsened by the bumps on the Albert Park track.

Asked if Bottas will be driving at Sepang, he told Hermes: "No can say that at the moment. I have spoken with Valtteri and he is very optimistic and believes he can drive. He is now resting and everything that can be done is being done so that he can drive in Malaysia. If he can't, there's nothing anyone can do about it," Hakkinen added. (GMM)