Valtteri Bottas has been told he needs to get his priorities in order in F1, with one expert suggesting the Sauber driver could “work in a circus alongside Daniel Ricciardo”.
Bottas, who switched from Mercedes to Sauber for 2022, is a carefree guy, literally.
Valtteri Bottas: “First go fast, then have some humour”
The mullet-haired, moustachioed Finn is also spreading his wings off-track with his activities, including raising money for charity with the “Bottas 2024” calendar.
On Saturday he also took his first gravel bike race win with FNLD GRVL.
But despite his gravel victories, his F1 record stands in stark contrast to the 34-year-old, who is yet to score a point this season.
Bottas’ place on the grid is under threat as Sauber already has Nico Hulkenberg under a long-term contract and is set to drop at least one of its drivers this year.
The team has not said whether it is leaning towards Bottas or Zhou Guanyu, leading to speculation that both could leave the team at the end of the year.
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Former motor racing team boss Frans Verschuur believes Bottas needs to get his priorities in order.
“He just has to stop, just like Perez,” said the Dutchman. Zigot Sports Race Cafe.
“What he’s doing has no place in F1 and he’s driving like a newspaper.”
“Do you know how many talents he has? He could work in the circus, [Daniel] Ricardo, two clowns together. First the speed, then the humor.
Despite Verschuur’s opinion of Bottas, the 10-time Grand Prix winner has been linked with moves to Alpine, Williams and Haas, while 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Bottas could return to Mercedes for the 2025 F1 season.
Meanwhile, Bottas told Canadian media he was “confident” to continue in F1 next season.
“But,” he added, “obviously nothing is set in stone in this sport, so you’re never 100 percent sure until you sign a contract.”
“But at least looking at the situation right now, I’m not concerned. But the next week or two should definitely be interesting.”
“Obviously it’s something you get used to. You feel a lot more at ease when you know what’s going on, but at the same time there’s a certain excitement, a certain element of the unknown.”
“Something new and exciting might happen, and that’s a good thing. But [I] You just have to accept the situation and live with it.”
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