Valtteri Bottas says he's making progress after suffering back injury

Valtteri Bottas: Suffered back injury in Melbourne

Valtteri Bottas says he is making progress overcoming the back injury he suffered in Australia and fully intends racing in next weekend’s Malaysian GP.

The Finn sustained soft tissue damage to his lower back during qualifying in Melbourne, necessitating an overnight stay in hospital.

Bottas returned to Albert Park on race day, when the FIA’s medical delegatedeclared him unfit to take part.

“Hi guys! Progress is being made and every day is a good step forward. Can't wait for Malaysia!” the Williams driver tweeted on Friday.

Williams' Valtteri Bottas has been ruled out of the Australian GP, after tearing a disc in his lower back during Saturday's qualifying session.

Speaking after Bottas qualified sixth on Saturday, Williams' Head of Performance Engineering Rob Smedley told Sky Sports F1: "We don’t know what it was, he just started complaining about it in the middle of the second qualifying saying that the small of his back was hurting.

“We had a look behind him and his seat and there was nothing in there. So I don’t know if he has jarred his back or something."

Williams started the season hoping to lead the pack chasing the dominant Mercedes team, but Ferrari out-performed them in Melbourne, with Sebastian Vettel finishing third ahead of Felipe Massa.

The Grove team will also want Bottas back in the car as soon as possible because, despite having Susie Wolff and GP3 champion Alex Lynn performing test and development duties, they do not have a reserve driver.