Bottas confident he is fit to race in Malaysia

Williams' Valtteri Bottas says he is physically ready to return to the cockpit and compete in Kuala Lumpur this weekend following the back injury that forced him to sit out the 2015 season-opening race in Melbourne.

"After such a frustrating Sunday in Australia, I have taken the necessary measures to make sure I arrive in Malaysia fit to race and ready to bring the results home," Bottas said.

Bottas will have to undertake further FIA medical checks on Thursday, however, in order to be cleared to compete.

The Finn spent the Saturday night of the Australian Grand Prix weekend in hospital after tearing an annular disc in his lower back during qualifying.

Despite that he still managed to claim sixth on the grid, as Williams made a competitive start to their 2015 campaign. Team mate Felipe Massa qualified third and came home fourth, missing out on a podium by just over three seconds.

Like Bottas, McLaren's Fernando Alonso will need to go through FIA medical checks if he is to race in Malaysia. The Spaniard missed the Australian weekend on medical advice after suffering concussion in a testing crash in Barcelona.