Bottas spun his Mercedes in the pitlane as h♏e left his pit box to start a race simulation on a fresh set of hard tyres 🦹with 20 minutes remaining in FP2.

As he laid runner down exiting hisꦗ box, the Finn lost control of his W12 and was pitched i𓆉nto a bizarre sideways spin that left him broadside in front of the McLaren garage.

B꧂ottas managed to avoid the pit wall and team personnel standing before he was assisted by members of McLaren’s pit crew.

Race control announced an investigation into the inc🧸ident, and Bottas was hit with a three-place grid drop for Sunday’s race due to “potentially dangerous driving in the pitlane”. Bottas has also received two penalty points on🌜 his licence. 

“When [Bottas] pulled away from his designated pit stop position, he lostও control of the ౠcar when he turned into the fast lane. He oversteered, spun and came to a stop across the fast lane near the McLaren pits," the stewards noted. 

“During the hearing [Bottas] stated that in the past they have been losing time in the pit departure. So they tried 𝓀something new, which was to leave in second gear.

"As a result, the wheel spin was much higher and ☂the result unexpected. Therefore he didn’t manage to control the car properly into the fast lane. This has to be considered as potentially dangerous driving, especiall🌊y as personnel were around in the pit lane.”

Speaking about the incident, Bottas explained: “I spun, we t💮ried something different getting out f꧟rom the box.

“That was just s♔ome variables to what we normally do with the wheel spin, so that’s why I spun.”

Prior to his trip to see the stewards, Bottas said he “would be surprไised” if any action was taken.

“It’s a normal mistake, it happens,” he added. “I’m sure they just want to understand ☂what happened really.”

McLaren team manager Paul James immediately reported the incident to FIA race director 🔜Michael Masi, saying: “Michael, that’s absolutely ridiculous. He could have taken our guys out there, and on the🅷 pit wall.”

Masi responded: “Agree, thank you.”

McLaren team principꦺal Andreas Seidl described Bottas’ spin as a “scary moment” for his crew, but played the incident down.

“Obviously a scary moment, but in the end it can happen🌞,” ಌhe told Sky Sports F1.

“So in the🌸 end, all we could do was help Valtteri to find the right direction again with hi💧s car by pushing him backward and forwards.

“It’s not really something you need to talk to꧒ your drivers [about]. Tඣhey all know about the people in the pitlane, and that it’s always important to be safety first and take it cautiously when you exit the pits.

“I don’t know exactly what happened but it can happen and thank God nothing happene♋d. Let’s all move on from it.”