Valtteri Bottas is relaxed about his Method 1 future. Not understanding but if he’ll stay on the grid for 2025, and seeing seats at rival groups dry up, Bottas may very well be forgiven for feeling anxious. However as he factors out after we chat on the British Grand Prix, this isn’t his first rodeo.
The Finnish driver, who will flip 35 on the finish of this month, at present sits on the backside of the drivers’ championship desk with out scoring some extent driving for the Sauber F1 crew.
However Bottas is aware of that issues can flip in a flash in F1, like in January 2017 when he was signed by Mercedes as an Eleventh-hour alternative for Nico Rosberg following the German’s shock retirement from F1.
Throughout his time with Mercedes, Bottas toed the company line, however as we communicate in Sauber’s motorhome together with his bleached mullet poking out from underneath his cap, he’s taking himself much less severely today and maybe accounts for why he’s so relaxed.
“Clearly, everyone seems to be totally different,” he says as we focus on a really tongue-in-cheek advert he did earlier within the 12 months for taxi agency Uber, “however I’ve discovered the way in which to permit myself to take the piss out of myself and to not take sure issues too severely.
“In fact, racing I am going to at all times take extraordinarily severely however, ultimately, we’re all simply people. I really feel prefer it’s vital to see the enjoyable in sure issues and particularly about your self.
“I have been there. I have been like a robotic most likely prior to now, however I am glad I’ve managed to come back out of it. I feel it’s maturity and expertise, it took some time for me to understand and perceive who I actually am.
Valtteri Bottas, KICK Sauber, within the storage
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
“I have been on this state of affairs many instances earlier than in my profession [waiting for a new contract], so it is nothing new for me. In fact, typically it could be tense, nevertheless it’s the way in which you deal with it – for me, in the mean time, it’s thrilling and never too confused. It’s not my first rodeo.”
Bottas’s trigger for a brand new deal has not been helped by a poor automotive that has didn’t ship on expectations. With out a level since final 12 months’s Qatar GP, Bottas’s profession appears at odds with the ten victories he achieved with Mercedes.
That mentioned, he says individuals within the paddock don’t want reminding of his talents behind the wheel, together with his present crew now the probably choice to extend his F1 profession.
He added: “I can not say that I am glad with how the season has been up to now. We have zero factors, which was not the goal, however from my aspect, I really feel like I have not missed alternatives.
“I really feel good within the automotive. Qualifying has been sturdy, and in addition within the races I am making essentially the most out of issues however sadly on this state of affairs, it’s most likely not very seen. So it has been a troublesome trip for us. For certain, not assembly the targets.
“On this sport, it is unlucky that a couple of individuals have fairly brief recollections. Should you’re a driver in a high crew, it’s extra seen, what you are doing, however that’s the secret.
“The nice factor is there are nonetheless individuals who know what I can do and what I can deliver to a crew and my degree of efficiency. So there’s nonetheless individuals who perceive, which is an effective factor.”
Outdoors of F1, Bottas has a spread of enterprise pursuits that maintain him busy, proving they don’t intrude together with his F1 commitments.
“It’s good,” when quizzed about his enterprise and associations. “All of the issues that I’ve bought concerned with, to begin with, it is at all times been as a result of I am passionate. For me, they’re enjoyable tasks to work with and all the things is aligned in order that it does not distract me. I can select my workload and normally change off my telephone for a number of weeks if I’ve to.
“The principle factor was the gin firm with me and my girlfriend after which I’m a part of a espresso roasters and a wine collaboration. I like all the things concerned in wine, so once I’m in Australia, I can work on these issues. Some individuals would possibly suppose it is a distraction, however I really feel prefer it’s the other.
“I’m additionally part-owner of the hockey crew in Finland in my house city and so they have been second within the Finnish league final season. I’ve a couple of investments right here and there too.”
Drifting onto the topic of biking, one thing Bottas is enthusiastic about with girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell knowledgeable bike owner, he interjects and says: “Simply to clarify Method 1 is the principle ardour – it has at all times been and will likely be. However exterior, for me, biking is a good way to flee the hectic and busy world with a lot of individuals.
“For me, biking is the exact opposite to F1. I can go on my own within the mountains not seeing anybody for hours and see issues, so it is a balancing issue and retains me match as properly.
“I just like the gravel biking occasions. It’s not fairly as critical as street biking. So the entire vibe is a little more chilled. I prefer to problem myself – possibly one thing’s improper with me! Undoubtedly sooner or later I might prefer to trip in additional occasions, however clearly the calendar decides that and it has to make sense time and energy-wise.”
