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Bottas to be hit with grid penalty while Verstappen takes on new gearbox

Valtteri Bottas has been handed a grid drop ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, while other drivers have also had components changed on their cars.

Valtteri Bottas will start the Austrian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after taking on several new power unit elements ahead of the weekend. The Alfa Romeo has been fitted with a fresh Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K and control electronics, all of which have taken Bottas over the amount allocated to each driver per season, meaning that he is hit with a penalty. Bottas' car is also running a new exhaust system, though this is within the set amount. The grid penalty will be applied for Sunday's race rather than the Sprint on Saturday. It seems that the weekend isn't going Bottas' way so far, with the Finn also being handed a fine for speeding in the pit lane during Free Practice 1.

Verstappen gets a new gearbox

Bottas is not the only driver to be running new components at the Red Bull Ring, with Max Verstappen taking on a new gearbox for the event. This will be the Dutchman's second of the allotted four, so there will not be a penalty given. Bottas has also been given a fresh gearbox, while Charles Leclerc and Zhou Guanyu are running new gearbox components. Leclerc is using a new energy store, and McLaren's Lando Norris joins Bottas in having his car fitted with a fresh ICE, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K and exhaust system. Again, this does not warrant a penalty as each part is within the amount allocated.

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