Max Verstappen to start at back of Russian Grand Prix grid

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Red Bull's Max Vertappen will start Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix from behind, as a consequence of a penalty for too many engines.

Red Bull had to purchase a fourth engine, one more than was allowed for a season.

After he received a three-place grid penalty due to his involvement in the crash with Lewis Hamilton, title rival, they decided to go to Russia.

Hamilton was led by Valtteri Bottas in a Mercedes one two in the second practice at Sochi.

Bottas was 0.44 seconds faster than Hamilton, ahead Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando norris. Alpine's Esteban Ocon, Verstappen, and McLaren's Lando Norris were also quicker.

Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi, had a crash at Turn Nine. This brought out the red flag. Gasly removed his front wing late in the session after he ran into the Turn Two kerbs.

Hamilton and Mercedes have a golden chance to gain ground in this championship with Verstappen's grid penalty - Hamilton is five points ahead heading into this weekend.

Hamilton stated that "it doesn't really alter anything for us." It's up to us to continue doing our jobs and focusing on the future.

It's been a difficult year for anyone with reliability. It's a shame that he's gone. We need to capitalize on this and achieve the best result possible, a two-score would be amazing for us as a group.

The seven-time champion stated that he was satisfied with the progress made on the first day of running.

"Seems like things started on the right foot. We had a great first session. Since then, we have been migrating and adapting but it hasn't been as good.

"But overall, a good session pace. There is still a lot of work ahead and it will rain a lot tomorrow.

Verstappen stated that the decision to take the engine home this weekend was made after considering all factors, including the weather forecast for tomorrow. It was the best place to have it.

"We had no choice but to accept the penalty and if it wasn't here, it would be elsewhere - we will make the most of it in the race."

Rain is forecast for Saturday. The governing body, the FIA, is preparing contingency plans to prepare for a delay in qualifying.

It will be run on Sunday morning if it is not possible to race at that time.

Verstappen will be starting at the back with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Leclerc also has a new engine and has exceeded his allocation.

Verstappen needed another engine after he suffered a heavy accident at the British Grand Prix. This was following his collision with Hamilton on lap 1.

After Lance Stroll's Aston Martin took Leclerc out in the first corner pile-up at Hungarian Grand Prix, Leclerc was short of parts.

Ferrari has a brand new hybrid system that they have ready for the first time this Saturday. They also took advantage of the opportunity to fit a new engine due to Leclerc’s predicament.

Carlos Sainz, a teammate, will be using the new hybrid system when Ferrari makes it tactically feasible.