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He can take on a fresh gearbox without a
penalty if he fails to finish the previous race but Bottas
crossed the line fifth last weekend in Malaysia.
The Finn will therefore start the race at the Suzuka circuit
five places lower than where he qualifies on Saturday.
The 28-year-old, who replaced retired world champion Nico
Rosberg at Mercedes and last month signed an extension to his
deal keeping him at the reigning champions alongside Lewis
Hamilton for another year, ended Friday’s practice sessions with
the fifth fastest time.
His best effort was set in the opening session in the morning,
with Bottas choosing not to set a time in the afternoon’s
rain-delayed second practice in which only five cars were brave
enough to attempt a flying lap.
Bottas has started from pole twice and won two races this
season.
But since Formula One’s summer break, the Finn has struggled to
extract the most out of his Mercedes, a car team boss Toto Wolff
has described as a “diva”.
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
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