The Finn had been hoping to challenge team-mate Lewis Hamilton for pole in the first race of the season as Mercedes appeared to have the fastest car on the track.
However, his qualifying came to a premature end in the final session of elimination when he lost control during Turn Two and smashed his car into the wall.
“I had just started the first timed lap. I went too wide, it was still a bit damp and I lost the rear,” Bottas said.
“I tried to correct it but it was too late. There was nothing I could do. We approach tomorrow with a fighting spirit.”
Bottas could have started 10th if the crash had not damaged the gearbox – but after making contact rear end first, the Finn looks certain to start from the pit lane in Sunday’s race because the team will have to make changes that incur a penalty.
Sky Sports analyst and former F1 driver Paul Di Resta suggested that Mercedes could find themselves on a big rebuild of the car in an effort to get Bottas’ challenger ready for Sunday’s race.
“He clipped the curb and clips the wet grass,” Di Resta said.
“That will be a big change [to the car].
“Front suspension damage is quite key to the chassis and that will mean extensive work tonight.”
