Valtteri B𒊎ottas' hopes of making it back-to-back wins in the British Grand Prix have been dealt a blow after a gearbox change on his Mercedes la🎉nded him a five-place grid penalty.

The Finn - a winner last week in Austria - looked on fine form around Silverstone as he topped both FP1 and FP2 ahead of Lewis Hamilton, but he will now f🐽ace a task to maintain his impressive momentum ꦬfrom a possible grid high of sixth on Sunday.

It is the second gearbox change for a Mercedes driver in as many races after Hamilton suffered a similﷺar fate. On that occasion the Briton started eighth and finished fourth, though Silverstone arguably presents better overtaking opportunities compa🍬red with the Red Bull Ring.

Bottas has scored more points than any other driver in the last 4 events, picking up a fourth in Monaco, second places in Canada🔯 and Baku before winning in Austria.

He is 35 points adrift of Sebastian Vettel in the overall ♐standings, with Hamilton 15 points ahea🍃d.