Valtteri Bottas is set to receive a five-place grid drop at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix due to a gearbox change. Bottas finished fifth quickest in the dry practice session at Suzuka but a document issued on Friday evening confirmed that an unscheduled gearbox change is to take place. As a result, and in line with the regulations, Bottas is set to drop five places on the grid from wherever he qualifies on Saturday afternoon. It marks a further blow to Bottas’ title prospects after a difficult run of form for the Finn, who is now 59 points behind Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the standings.
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