Bottas looking at potential grid penalty in Abu Dhabi

40

Mercedes and Valtteri Bottas could be looking at a grid drop next week in Abu Dhabi if the Finn's ailing engine from Brazil is discarded.

Bottas retired from last Sunday's race 17 laps from the checkered flag when his Mercedes engine suddenly switched off, the German outfit's telemetry data indicating an oil consumption issue.

"I think there was a bit of smoke," said Bottas. "I didn’t actually see the smoke myself, but they reported it to me, but I couldn't feel any loss of power, just the engine switched off after Turn 3."

Scenes from the paddock: Interlagos

Mercedes was scheduled to transport the unit back to its HPP facility in Brixworth on Tuesday, after which the engine will be stripped down and thoroughly analyzed in order to determine the cause of the failing.

The results of the inspection will also shed light on whether Bottas will require the installation of a new unit for Formula 1's season finale at Yas Marina, in which case the Finn will be hit with a grid drop, or if Mercedes will rely on an older unit in Bottas' pool.

"We don't know any more about it," Mercedes technical director James Allison told Motorsport.com.

"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."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.