Perez, Bottas to start F1 Australian GP from pitlane
Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas will start Formula 1's Australian Grand Prix from the pitlane after making car changes under parc ferme rules.
Bottas and Perez were due to start on the last row after qualifying 19th and 20th respectively and their teams have decided to make changes to the suspension set-up ahead of Sunday's Melbourne race.
Red Bull has also taken the opportunity to replace Perez's energy store and control electronics.
Both power unit items are Perez's third examples of 2023, with only two of each allowed. Given that he was already due to start from the back, the Mexican has now in effect been able to add them to his component pool without incurring a significant grid penalty.
The stewards noted: "All the PU components for Sergio Perez have been replaced without the approval of the FIA technical delegate and this is not in accordance with Article 40.3 of the 2023 Formula One Sporting Regulations.
"Further changes have been made to the set-up of the suspension (with the approval of the FIA technical delegate following a written request).
"Therefore, car number 11 should now be required to start the Race from the pit lane according to Article 40.9 c) of the 2023 Formula One Sporting Regulations."
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo C43
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
A similar message referred to Bottas's suspension change and confirmed he would also start from the pitlane as it is in breach of parc ferme rules.
Red Bull also replaced the front brake friction material on Perez's car after he suffered braking problems throughout Saturday, which was at the root of his Q1 elimination without setting a lap time.
The brake changes are in compliance with parc ferme rules, so by themselves they wouldn't have constituted a penalty for Perez.
Commenting on his brake issue, Perez said on Saturday: "It was very difficult to do anything out there, just braking. I became a passenger as soon as I touched the brake.
"It's something that is moving the brake balance quite far forwards on the braking. I just hope that we are able to fix it as a team tomorrow and be able to race and minimise the damage."
Mercedes has been talking up F1 struggles, says Alonso
Live: F1 Australian GP commentary and updates
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Ocon: Alpine F1 swap policy "clear" amid Gasly confusion in Japan
Ocon: Alpine F1 swap policy "clear" amid Gasly confusion in Japan Ocon: Alpine F1 swap policy "clear" amid Gasly confusion in Japan
The art of compromise behind an "emotionally draining" F1 job
The art of compromise behind an "emotionally draining" F1 job The art of compromise behind an "emotionally draining" F1 job
Alfa Romeo announces Zhou alongside Bottas for 2024 F1 season
Alfa Romeo announces Zhou alongside Bottas for 2024 F1 season Alfa Romeo announces Zhou alongside Bottas for 2024 F1 season
Bottas: Alfa Romeo 2023 F1 car was "born" missing winter targets
Bottas: Alfa Romeo 2023 F1 car was "born" missing winter targets Bottas: Alfa Romeo 2023 F1 car was "born" missing winter targets
The lessons "peak" Bottas learned at Mercedes that will elongate his F1 career
The lessons "peak" Bottas learned at Mercedes that will elongate his F1 career The lessons "peak" Bottas learned at Mercedes that will elongate his F1 career
FIA Rally Star finalist claims maiden outright podium
FIA Rally Star finalist claims maiden outright podium FIA Rally Star finalist claims maiden outright podium
Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return
Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Texas cites date clash in being dropped from 2024 IndyCar schedule
Texas cites date clash in being dropped from 2024 IndyCar schedule Texas cites date clash in being dropped from 2024 IndyCar schedule
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.