With these prospects, Valtteri Bottas, who ended his F1 career on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, thanked his long-time fitness coach for the years together.
Valtteri Bottas possibly the last F1 race of his career ended in suspension following a crash in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The Finnish Konkar does not have an F1 driver’s contract for next season, but it is possible for his career to continue as a three-way driver with Mercedes, for example.
On Monday, Bottas sent his thanks to his personal fitness trainer To Antti Vierulawhose previous customers have included, among others, the nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb and a six-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.
– Thank you Antti for ten years of working together!
– We had ups and downs and we could fit a couple of beers. We never gave up and we never will. I may be my own coach from now on, but I’ve learned from the best. We are friends forever and we have a lot of memories to talk about, Bottas wrote on the messaging service X.
Bottas achieved ten race wins and two World Championship silver medals in his career.
Urheilu F1 expert Jukka Mildh drew attention to Bottas’ final race helmet, which only read the phrase “What’s next?”, which Bottas branded at the end of the season.
The helmet was silver.
– Yes, it points somewhat in the direction of Mercedes. He gets there as a backup driver and an ambassador. A long career in the stable also supports that, Mildh reflected.
The Mercedes drivers for next season are George Russell and young promise Kimi Antonelli. If the young Italian flops, Bottas would be a guaranteed choice as a replacement.
Bottas’ experience will also be needed, as the F1 series will switch to new cars for the 2026 season. Mercedes has not won the manufacturers’ championship since Bottas left the team.