F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Alfa Romeo's Bottas to start Austrian GP from pitlane

Valtteri Bottas will begin his afternoon of racing at the Red Bull Ring from the pitlane following Alfa Romeo's decision to change the rear-wing specification on the Finn's car.

It's a minor setback for Bottas who was scheduled to start his Austrian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Alfa added a fresh Internal Combustion Engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K and control electronics to his pool of hardware.

But mounting a different rear-wing assembly on Bottas' C42 means and a pit lane start for the #77 Alfa.

Fernando Alonso will also have his work cut out for him in Sunday's race. The Alpine charger will start his race from the back row of the grid due to his retirement from Saturday's sprint event that determined starting positions.

However, the Enstone squad has taken the opportunity to supply the Spaniard with a fresh ICE, turbocharger, MGU-H, energy store, control electronics and exhaust system.

The changes are sanctioned by a grid drop as all components save for the exhaust system exceeded the authorized limit, but will have no effect on Alonso's position given his already back row start.

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Michael Delaney

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