Mercedes was forced to change Valtteri Bottas' power unit for a second time this weekend after a pneumatic leak was discovered on the Finn's former engine.

A unit failure in Brazil compelled Mercedes to bolt on a brand new engine to the back of Bottas' car for Abu Dhabi, which in turn guaranteed a back of the grid start on Sunday for the Finn.

The latest change, forced upon the team when it discovered a pneumatic leak on Friday evening after FP2, obviously won't change Bottas' position on the grid.

It could however deliver an edge to the driver in the race and help him fight his way through the field.

"I still want to fight for the pole, you know, even though I would not keep it," said the 2019 runner-up in the F1 championship.

"That would be good fun and with a fresh engine as well. But definitely the main focus just has to be the race pace, because we know we're going to start from the back.

"We will see what we can do differently maybe with the setup, or if there's anything we can find to prioritise the race pace."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Through one lens: Twelve photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

6 hours ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

9 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

1 day ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

1 day ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

1 day ago

Leclerc’s ‘naughty’ Christmas gift leaves Russell ‘lost for words’

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may not have ended the season with a silver trophy in hand,…

1 day ago