Valtteri Bottas is visiting Finland this week as he competes in an international gravel cycling event. The first season of Finland’s only F1 driver at the moment has been really difficult.
Valtteri Bottas The early F1 season has been really difficult. The Finnish driver scored points in the opening race in Bahrain, but it has been very challenging since then.
The Finnish champion has ended up driving at the tail end and has finished among the last several times. This also happened a week ago in Barcelona, when Bottas finished second to last, i.e. 19th.
On Friday, Bottas opened up to Urheilu about the background of his difficult early season.
– One simple thing is that many other teams have been able to develop their car more during the winter. However, I think we saw a light at the end of the tunnel in Barcelona. In some places the speed was quite good. In the race, unfortunately, I had a damaged car, Bottas describes.
Bahrain: 8th (Two WC points)
Saudi Arabia: 18th (Last finisher)
Australia: 11th (Second last finisher)
Azerbaijan: 18th (Last finisher)
Miami: 13.
Monaco: 11.
Barcelona: 19.
Bottas is 14th in the World Championship points. There are 20 competitors in the F1 series.
After the races, Bottas has been told several times in interviews that he does not know what caused the lower speed. How difficult has it been mentally to drive in the rear end?
– Of course, it’s always more challenging when you don’t get the results you’re looking for. The situation is the same for the team and the drivers. Everything is usually easier when you reach your goals, Bottas formulates.
However, the Finn assures that the motivation is high for the rest of the season. He wants to get back to the points, i.e. into the top ten in competitions.
– We work together as a team. The motivation is to get back to where you want to be, Bottas emphasizes.
Bottas is now driving his second season with Alfa Romeo after years spent with the successful team Mercedes.
However, the team that goes by the name of Alfa Romeo is run by the long-standing F1 team Sauber. The Alfa Romeo name is disappearing from the F1 series at the end of this season, when the cooperation between Alfa Romeo and the Swiss Sauber ends.
However, Switzerland is constantly preparing for the next step, when Audi, one of the brands of the German car giant Volkswagen, returns to the F1 series. Sauber will become Audi’s factory team in 2026.
One indication of the future was seen earlier this week when Sauber announced a new technical director. previously held a similar role at McLaren James Key jump into the task at the beginning of September. In the team’s press release, it was said that the reason behind the hire is Audi’s entry into the series.
Bottas turns 37 in 2026, but could see himself behind the wheel of Audi.
– Why not? I still have many years left in this sport. I have a lot to give. I want to get back on the podium and win. That’s what we’re looking for here. Let’s try to look at the long term. That could be an interesting opportunity, the ten-time F1 race winner says.
Cycling helps to reset thoughts
Valtteri Bottas is having a blast in Finland when he competes in the Päijät-Hämee gravel cycling event. Bottas and his professional cyclist spouse Tiffany Cromwell have been involved in making an event in which approximately 900 cyclists participate in various competitions.
Bottas is participating in the 77 kilometer race. Coincidentally, 77 is also his racing number on the side of the actual profession, i.e. Formula 1.
– Maybe that was considered a bit when we planned the trips. That’s the middle ground here. The longest driving distance is 177 kilometers. I didn’t go there, as I have my own competitions next weekend in Montreal. I wouldn’t have time to get back there, Bottas says.
Cycling has become a great passion for Finns. The F1 driver says that he resets his thoughts with it and decompresses situations in hectic everyday life. He wants to go to Saturday’s competition primarily to enjoy himself, because that’s what the sport is all about for him.
– I want to enjoy the whole day. I want to see people have fun. But if we’re talking about results, I want to be on the podium, Bottas concludes and finally turns to the state of mind of a top athlete.