Bottas handed five-place grid penalty for Belgium for causing first lap "mess"

Valtteri Bottas has been handed a five-place grid penalty for Belgium after causing the first lap carnage at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Starting second on a damp circuit, Bottas made a poor start as his Mercedes plummeted behind Max Verstappen and Lando Norris on the run down to turn one.

The Finn speared into the back of the McLaren driver ahead under braking to spark a multiple-car incident that forced him and Norris into retirement along with Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Sergio Perez.

Verstappen was also affected, with extensive damage to his sidepods, bargeboards and floor.

The incident triggered a red flag period in order to allow for the clean-up of the debris scattered across the Hungaroring.

A stewards' report read: "Immediately after the start, in the braking zone to turn 1, car 77 [Bottas] collided with the rear of car 4 [Norris].

"The Stewards took into consideration the track conditions however the driver of car 77 was fully to blame for the collision."

Explaining his version of the dramatic first corner incident, Bottas, who has also been given two penalty points on his licence, said: "I had a poor start, had wheelspin off the line and lost places.

"Braking into the first corner, I was right in the gearbox of Lando and just locked the wheels. Probably, I didn't calculate the braking point quite right and hit him, then it was a mess."

"It was a great starting point for the race and for me, it was a shame."

Lando Norris was left upset having made his way up to second off the line, calling for the penalty for the Mercedes driver.

Asked if he would speak to Norris, Bottas insisted: "If I find him, yes for sure."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen victim of awkward blunder as FIA release Bahrain GP statement - F1 News Today

• Just now

George Russell reacts to devastating Bahrain Grand Prix retirement: 'I'm pretty used to this'

• Yesterday 22:27

Fernando Alonso reveals 'wild' Aston Martin Bahrain GP and being faster than Lewis Hamilton

• Yesterday 21:44

Lewis Hamilton claims Ferrari error cost him Bahrain Grand Prix victory chance

• Yesterday 20:54

Christian Horner congratulates Max Verstappen and Red Bull after his RBPT project achieves first F1 win

• Yesterday 19:58

FIA release statement after F1 cars’ ‘software error' sparks Bahrain Grand Prix chaos

• Yesterday 18:54