Mercedes confirms "tactical" engine change and grid drop for Bottas

Mercedes has confirmed Valtteri Bottas will take his fifth new power unit of the season for the Russian Grand Prix.

Bottas was hit with a back of the grid start at the Italian GP earlier this month as Mercedes fitted his fourth power unit and has again been pushed back in Russia after qualifying seventh.

In a brief statement, a Mercedes spokesperson confirmed: "We are taking the tactical opportunity to put another PU in the pool with VB [Bottas]."

Bottas' W12 has taken a fifth internal combustion engine, turbocharger and MGU-H.

The Finn will start 17th ahead of Nicholas Latifi, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, all of whom have also taken penalties.

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

After Lewis Hamilton collided with the pit wall and later spun in Q3, Mercedes added: "There was minor endplate damage to fix for LH after his brush with the barrier on his slicks lap yesterday. All else seems okay."