Drain Cover Chaos: Bottas Sidelined in FP3 After Baku Pit-Lane Incident

Bottas unable to join FP3 due to drain cover incident

Valtteri Bottas was forced to sit out the last practice session for the European Grand Prix in Baku after a loose drain cover in the pit-lane caused damage.

The Finnish driver, who had secured a podium finish in the previous race, was returning to the pit-lane following an installation lap when his front wheel lifted a drain grate. This grate then flew into the sidepod of the Williams FW38.

After hitting the car and narrowly avoiding the marshals positioned by the pit-wall, Bottas drove into his garage. The team assessed the situation and concluded that the damage was significant enough to keep him out for the rest of the hour.

Before the qualifying rounds, the event represents a setback for Bottas, who had demonstrated remarkable speed during Friday's practice sessions, highlighted by an astounding top speed of 351 km/h.

For the second time in three races, a loose drain has created chaos. Previously, Nico Rosberg dislodged a broken manhole cover in Monaco, which was then hit by the closely trailing Jenson Button.

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