Valtteri Bottas has chosen an unusual way to travel between Formula One race weekends: cycling from Sepang in Malaysia toward Singapore. The Associated Press reported on October 6 that the Cadillac driver embarked on a journey of more than 320 kilometres.
The 37-year-old set off after failing to finish Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, which was held at Sepang because of the Iran war. While other drivers and teams prepared to fly to Singapore, Bottas confirmed his cycling plans on social media.
He explained that his retirement from the race followed a gamble on slick tyres in damp conditions. AP reported that he had yet to score a championship point for Cadillac this season, with a best finish of 13th at the Chinese Grand Prix.
The trip puts endurance cycling into the short interval between two demanding motorsport events. It is a personal travel and training choice, rather than a change to the Formula One calendar.
The next destination is Singapore, where teams are preparing for this weekend’s Grand Prix.
