While many Formula 1 drivers will be enjoying a rare weekend off before the Canadian Grand Prix, Sauber star Valtteri Bottas is not like his rivals on the track.
It’s not been an easy start to the season for Sauber or Valtteri Bottas as their wait to score their first point of the year continues.
However, the Finn appears to be enjoying his time away from F1 and took to Instagram to celebrate his latest achievement.
At the start of the 2024 season, Bottas made it clear he had two objectives for the season.
The first was to perform as well as he could for Sauber and earn a new contract to continue his F1 career.
The other was to qualify for the Gravel World Series alongside his motor racing efforts.
Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Bottas swapped four wheels for two once again and F1 fans have had their say on his latest achievement.
READ MORE: Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin
Valtteri Bottas takes part in a 174km gravel event before the Canadian Grand Prix
Throughout the winter, while every F1 driver was preparing for the season to begin, Valtteri Bottas went on a journey of his own.
Bottas highlighted through his social media account the hundreds of miles of preparation he was doing in Australia to maintain his fitness and pursue his other hobby.
His partner – Tiffany Cromwell – is an Australian road and gravel cyclist and Bottas joined her during her training.
It’s not very common anymore for F1 drivers to compete elsewhere during their time in the sport.
Fernando Alonso stepped away from Formula 1 to try and win the Indy 500 while also claiming victory in the World Endurance Championship.
Former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen had a similar idea when he spent three seasons in the World Rally Championship.
However, while Bottas is still technically racing, taking part in gravel cycling events is very different to Formula 1, but nevertheless, he produced a better result on Saturday than he has for Sauber this year.
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F1 fans are all reacting the same way to Valtteri Bottas’s gravel event
Posting on Instagram after the race, Bottas said: “@unboundgravel 100. Finally got to take part in this big gravel event in USA. Had fun out there racing bikes for 174km on gravel, and finished 2nd in men 30-39.
“Thank you @canyon and @sramroad for the very best support!”
Reacting to his performance, Lukeh.obart replied: “F1 is just a side quest for this guy,” while Thelifeofmichaelbrian added: “Bro said “I’ve got some time off, might take it easy””
Assifahjiddan joked that F1 was no longer his main focus and said: “Nice job bro, don’t forget your side quests at Montreal this weekend.”
Florisschurer gave Bottas some tips for his next gravel event and commented: “In between British GP and Hungarian GP there’s the Gravel One Fifty in The Netherlands. UCI Qualifier. Would be nice if you showed up there.”
Jennamayyy_ simply replied: “Side quest king,” while Indigo_nice said: “Crushed it dude!”
Which Formula 1 team will Valtteri Bottas be driving for in 2025?
Valtteri Bottas might be taking his gravel racing seriously but he’s also very keen to stay in Formula 1 beyond the end of his current contract with expires in the winter.
It looks less and less likely that he’ll be retained by Sauber for 2205 with Audi taking control of driver signings and already bringing in Nico Hulkenberg.
However, Bottas is still one of the strongest free agents on the market and will have his eye on a few teams.
Alpine have emerged as an option for Bottas heading into next year.
Bottas is also very high on the shortlist for Williams although team principal James Vowles is also really keen on signing Carlos Sainz.
Haas are the final team Bottas could end up signing for and it’s a good sign that he’s got so many options on the table at this stage.
The post F1 fans are all saying the same thing about the latest Valtteri Bottas ‘side quest’ before the Canadian GP appeared first on F1 Oversteer.