Back injury rules Bottas out of Australian GP

A back injury suffered by Valtteri Bottas during qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix has not healed in time for the race, and as a result the Williams driver will sit out the season opener in Melbourne.

Williams said in a statement on Sunday: "Following the team’s earlier statement regarding the injury that Valtteri sustained to his lower back during yesterday’s qualifying session for the Australian Grand Prix."

"It can be confirmed that the scans revealed that Valtteri had suffered has a very small tear in the annular part of a disc in his lower back."

"Valtteri has since been evaluated by the FIA’s medical team and following a series of tests the FIA Medical Delegate has deemed Valtteri unfit to take part in this afternoon’s race."

"The team respect the FIA’s decision and will now work with Valtteri ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix to ensure he receives the treatment required to get him back to full fitness."