Valtteri Bottas has been ruled out of the opening Formula 1 Grand Prix of 2015 in Australia due to the back injury suffered during qualifying on Saturday.
The Finn had qualified sixth on the grid for Williams Martini Racing but was deemed unfit following a medical assessment by FIA medical delegate Jean-Charles Piette.
The problem was caused by a small tear in the annular part of a disc in his lower back, and had spent the night in hospital before coming to the circuit on Sunday morning for his tests.
“Following the team’s earlier statement regarded the injury that Valtteri sustained to his lower back during yesterday’s qualifying session for the Australian Grand Prix,” said a Williams statement.
“It can be confirmed that the scans revealed that Valtteri 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.”
