Inside Valtteri Bottas’ wild three weeks after being dumped by F1 team from back garden Ironman to mad side quests

VALTTERI BOTTAS has not blown his engine out over the news he would not be racing in Formula One next season.

It was announced days after the Brazil Grand Prix that the Finn would not retain his seat with Sauber for 2025, with it instead going to 20-year-old F2 star Gabriel Bortoleto.

And days after the news, Bottas shared a video of him doing a staggering Ironman triathlon challenge in his own back garden.

However, it proved to be the tip of the iceberg for the 35-year-old as it gave way to a mad three-week break involving some crazy side quests.

Bottas documented his break on his Instagram page with a suitably titled series called “What’s next?”

Following the Ironman challenge, Bottas was seen grimacing in pain while getting a tattoo on his left thigh of the text “What’s next?”

After getting his tattoo, Bottas was seen in a video sharing a coffee with Tour de France winner Sir Mark Cavendish as both asked one another “What’s next?”

The next video in the series saw Bottas kitted out in cycling gear as he went “gravel riding in the wild west”, accompanied by Valkirias de Cine’s Wild West song in the background.

This was followed by a stunning switch to a sandy beach setting where Bottas then revealed he would be playing ultimate frisbee with Australia’s national team.

The video showed Bottas in action jumping and diving about as he tried to catch the frisbee.

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Up next was a more low-key event by the former Mercedes driver’s standards, as he was seen in a cowboy hat drinking a beer before saying he was participating in a Sunday night pool tournament.

Another 180-degree twist to the series saw Bottas now wearing a thick coat as he got ready to go hiking.

While on the hike, Bottas came across a fresh batch of bear poo, before he ended the video by bursting into a run.

The latest video in the series saw Bottas back in cycling gear.

But rather than cold weather or gravel riding, Bottas was now cycling in Death Valley.

Located in eastern California in the Mojave Desert, it is thought to be the hottest place in the world in the summer with the record temperature reaching a scorching 57°C.

Bottas has since arrived in the Las Vegas F1 paddock with his tattoo on show for all to see.

He has also been seen wearing a cyan-coloured top with black text on it reading “What’s next?”

In terms of what’s next for his motorsport career, reports suggest Bottas is being considered as a Mercedes reserve driver for next season.

Speaking about his F1 exit, Bottas said: “Life goes on. There’s lots of exciting things ahead. And yeah, I’m fine with it.

“It’s a tricky sport. You know, I think I got into a bit of an unlucky situation, in terms of hanging on to the last seat on the grid. And when that doesn’t happen, then obviously you’re out for now.

“The closer we’re getting to that date, I did definitely figure out that there was other drivers as candidates as well. And of course, you start to hear rumours.

“So then in the end, I still thought it’s maybe 50-50 chance. And yeah, I got the call on the Monday. But yeah, at least I know now. I just need to figure out what’s next…

“The way my active F1 driving career ended for now, it wasn’t the best way that you can’t really decide yourself.

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“I feel like still I have lots to give for the sport and I still love it. I love the racing against the best drivers in the world, in the best cars in the world. That’s what I love.

“So I’m just trying to figure out now what is the next move. So yeah, I don’t really have that much more. I’m taking it day by day. There’s some interesting stuff on the table and then we’ll see.”

However, he did not seem overly keen on the idea of switching to another motorsport, but said he was always up for a new challenge, as he did with the Ironman.

He added: “For me, at the moment, I feel like jumping into a new category comes quite quick.

“You know, we’re almost in December. So yeah, I think that would be more realistic that if I didn’t find a seat in F1 during ‘25 or for ‘26, then probably would be from ‘26.

“But it’s all these things that I need to kind of try and plan. But the picture is starting to form in my head what is the ideal situation. I’ve raced all my life, you know, since I was six, five, six years old and I still love it.

“So I’ll be always driving something. I just sometimes like to challenge myself. I just decided on the evening before that tomorrow I want to be an Ironman.

“And I just did it in a small pool and indoor bike and treadmill. I’d actually never done a marathon before, so now that’s done as well. So, yeah, things sometimes just happen.”

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk