- Australian GP
Bottas remains a doubt after night in hospital
Laurence Edmondson in Melbourne March 15, 2015 « Mixed emotions for Toro Rosso rookies in qualifying | No light at the end of the tunnel with Renault - Newey »
Valtteri Bottas remains a doubt for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix after spending the night in hospital with soft tissue damage to his back.
Bottas felt a twinge of pain when he hit the brakes on his second run in Q2 on Saturday and was sent to the medical centre after qualifying sixth in the Williams. It was found that he had sustained soft tissue damage in his lower back and he will now have to pass a late medical check ahead of the race in order to take part.
"During yesterday's qualifying session for the Australian Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas developed a back injury which the team felt necessary to be examined by the FIA Medical Delegate at the circuit," a Williams statement said.
"Following this, he was transferred to Albert Hospital in Melbourne for further precautionary scans which revealed that Valtteri had sustained some soft tissue damage in his lower back.
"He remained in hospital overnight and following a restful night is now working with a physiotherapist prior to final assessment by the FIA in the early afternoon to determine whether he will be able to race later today. The team will release a further update as information is available."
If Bottas does not pass the medical he will not be allowed to race and Williams will only field Felipe Massa.
Laurence Edmondson is deputy editor of ESPNF1
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Laurence Edmondson is deputy editor of ESPNF1 Laurence Edmondson grew up on a Sunday afternoon diet of Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell and first stepped in the paddock as a Bridgestone competition finalist in 2005. He worked for ITV-F1 after graduating from university and has been ESPNF1's deputy editor since 2010
