6th Mercedes engine of the season for Bottas, penalized again

The Finn will have to move back at least 5 places on the grid for the United States Grand Prix.

He has been following them since Monza! After receiving a 4th internal combustion engine in Italy last month, then a 5th in Russia two weeks later, Valtteri Bottas will take on a 6th ICE this weekend in Austin (Texas).

This new regulatory infraction – only 3 ICEs are allowed per driver over the entire season – will result in an automatic drop of 5 places on the grid on Sunday.

Mercedes explained that he wanted to find “ the best possible compromise between performance and reliability », proof that it resolves a certain excitement in the German clan.

Bottas is not the only Mercedes-powered driver to receive new powertrain components in the United States this weekend.

As announced ahead of the Texan event, Sebastian Vettel and George Russell received a 4th thermal engine. The pilots Aston Martin et Williams will also use a 4th turbocharger as well as a 4th copy of MGU-H. Vettel and Russell are therefore condemned to start at the back of the grid.

These repeated changes of engine elements are cause for concern, while Lewis Hamilton received a new ICE in Türkiye and is 6 points behind its rival Max Verstappen in the Drivers' World Championship with 6 rounds to go.