Williams driver Valtteri Bottas is in doubt for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after suffering back pain during Saturday’s qualifying in Melbourne.
Bottas, who is scheduled to start off the third row of Sunday’s race grid after qualifying sixth fastest, had tests and scans at the circuit before being taken to hospital.
Williams performance chief Rob Smedley told reporters it was too early to know if Bottas will start in the race.
“He has to go through all the correct checks this evening and tomorrow,” Smedley said.
“He has to get through this initial bit, get all the medical care and treatment and have the assessment tomorrow. Then we will know.”
If the Finn is declared unfit to drive then Williams will have Felipe Massa as their only starter in the season-opener after the Brazilian claimed third behind a Mercedes pair, reigning champion Lewis Hamilton and last year’s race winner Nico Rosberg.
“The car performed well and we were fighting with Ferrari throughout,” Bottas said.
“Unfortunately towards the end of Q2 I started to feel a pain in my back.
“Given the back complaint I had during the session, the team and I felt it sensible to get me checked out at the local hospital and we await their diagnosis.”