Valtteri Bottas will drop down the starting grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix because of a new power unit fitted for the race.
Bottas was forced to retire from the Brazilian Grand Prix with an engine-related problem that was caused by high oil consumption which escalated with his on-track battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
The damaged power unit was flown back to Mercedes base to see if it could be repaired for the season finale, but it has been unable to be salvaged.
At this stage, it is unclear just how big of a grid drop Bottas will have to take as this depends on how many specific elements need to be changed to the power unit.
This will become clear when the FIA start providing official confirmation of engine component changes on Friday.
On the issue that occurred during the Brazilian Grand Prix, technical director James Allison said: “We know that we had elevated oil consumption during the race that ran away very sharply, very sharply, about half a lap before we saw it expire.
“The engine stopped itself rather than expired in a heap.”
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