Mercedes not ruling out team orders despite Bottas pole

Mercedes hasn't ruled out the use of team orders in tomorrow's Russian Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas took pole position ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who is fighting for the world championship against Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after qualifying, Wolff congratulated Bottas on what was a great lap but admitted that the team orders conversation would need to happen prior to the race, with the team thinking about the championship standings.

“Valtteri needed to gain some confidence and that was just what the doctor ordered,” Wolff admitted.

Hamilton currently has a 40 point advantage over Vettel in the driver's championship with just six races remaining however a win in Russia could halt all momentum for his German rival as even if Vettel won the remaining races, if Hamilton finished second he would still win the title.

The run to turn two in the race will be a very interesting one to say the least. If Vettel can make third place work like Bottas did last season he may well come out of turn three leading the race.