Bottas set to take 5-place grid drop

Valtteri Bottas is set to take a 5-place grid penalty for the Australian Grand Prix following his shunt in qualifying. The Finn was starting his first timed lap in Q3 when the kerb at Turn 1 bounced him wide, causing him to dip a wheel onto the grass.

The grass was saturated due to the rain that fell during the morning at Albert Park. Bottas lost control of his W09 and spun into the barrier, wrecking the rear of his car. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed that the chassis was undamaged, but a new gearbox is required, which will result in a 5-place grid penalty.

Speaking about his crash, Bottas said: "I used a bit more of the track on the exit of Turn 1. I went a bit too wide and just a bit surprised [with what happened next]. I think the track was still a little damp from the rain we had previously. I lost the rear of the car and tried to correct it but it all happened so quick and there was nothing I could do."

But the three-time Grand Prix winner is not losing hope on taking a positive result from Sunday's race: "We approach tomorrow with a fighting spirit. Points are given on Sundays, not Saturdays, so we're going to give it our all and get as high [up the leaderboard] as much as we can."

Fergal Walsh