Valtteri Bottas is one of the most fun drivers on the F1 grid. Esquire Middle East caught up with him in Dubai where he was part of the presentation of a capsule collection for Web Eyewear in partnership with Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN.
Esquire Middle East Q&A
I was listening to a podcast on the way to meet you and you’re saying ‘I wish they would just bunch up the races’. Just Europe together, then Middle East, then South America. With all the travel, you must feel you’re on a different planet right now.
Yeah. Obviously with just one or two days with this kind of time difference, you can’t really get used to it. So it takes a few days. It has become a bit of a norm that every other week in this sport you feel like a bit out of place. But the adrenaline eventually takes care of everything. So soon as you’re in the car. But obviously the key is to go to places as early as you can so you have more time to adjust and give your body bit of time. Um, but coffee always works!
I know you’re a big coffee guy, right? You’re a shareholder in a coffee roaster. What’s more important: morning coffee or post-race beer? Because I know they’re both rituals.
That’s tough question. [laughs] My day wouldn’t be good if I didn’t have coffee and I could have a day without beer. So I’d say, say coffee is more important.
Plus you’re a shareholder in a roaster. You can’t say anything else! You look great in the shoot by the way. You look really good in the glasses. What makes a perfect pair on glasses?
For me personally, comfort. Obviously style too, and that they protect you because it feels like nowadays, and I don’t know if it’s true, but the sun is getting stronger. You know, it can really harm your eyes if you don’t use correct lenses and stuff like that. So, comfort probably becomes number one because if you have uncomfortable sunglasses, that’s the worst thing. And then style. But obviously with Web, they have a pretty Italian style, so that’s covered. Um, and com forward and, and materials, technology, all that, uh, is, is there.
I was reading about the brand, how it started with pilots and people who are pushing the edge of what was humanly possible, the pilots in the thirties. And I guess you’re that person now, because what you guys do is crazy most weekends. Do you feel sometimes when you’re out there, pushing, that you’re at the edge?
Absolutely. Yeah. I think in this sport you have to always be able to innovate in a way and try something new and push not only yourself but the people around you.
I mean you’re pushing yourself differently too. How you’ve evolved this year, in a new team and how that maybe differs from your previous experiences. You’ve said you’ve set different targets for yourself. How do you make that mindset shift?
I have to admit as a driver, it’s not necessarily easy, especially when you come from your target being to be a champion and now it’s to be around 10th. But I had time, you know, I had time to reflect and adjust because it was pretty much around the August break that I managed to secure my future. So then I had time over the winter, it was good chance to really reset expectations. I need to take this as a project. And if I get frustrated from the first race, if we’re not on the podium, then that’s not going to help anybody. I also have to give myself some time, and the team some time. Nothing is happening overnight.
It’s a big year next year, right? Like the most races ever I think. Yeah. And a bunch of them are in the region here, how they differ from the European ones and I wonder how the Middle East races like compare also to the rest of the schedule.
They’re all good races here. Like the tracks are good. What is similar with all of the races is that the facilities always great. Like if you watch Abu Dhabi on TV, it just looks crazy and spectacular. It’s the same thing in all the races in Middle East. When you are there as a driver or team member, everything is well organized and the races are good. And actually I like the evening races. So you can sleep longer!
So, you famously barred your buttocks for charity. It was on your Instagram, which is kind of wild sometimes. Any future plans to do it again for charity?
I’m quite reactive and I don’t normally plan that kind of stuff. It just happens. That’s one example where I was with my mates in this river and took a photo and then I was like, oh that’s actually a pretty artistic photo. So then I just posted it. But then next morning I woke up and I saw how many likes and comments and I was like, wow, it’s really exploded. So then we decided, okay, we have to do something. So then that’s when we came up with the idea for the charity.
Is that your Finnish side? Cause I’ve known a few Finns in my life and like they all tend to have this “that looks fun. Let’s do that” attitude
I think we’re quite free in a way that if we feel like we want to do something we might as well. And also I don’t take myself too seriously. I think sometimes it helps you to laugh at yourself.
What’s this I read about you liking biking – forest biking particularly? I heard you do it for mental health.
Yeah, it is. Actually for sure I do cycling to keep me fit. But the other side of it is to clear my head. I feel like for me it’s a great escape from everything involving F1, to be in nature. And also, my girlfriend is a professional cyclist, so it makes sense. So we can do it together. And for me it is a hobby and it’s really good fun.
Who’s the most famous person on your phone?
I’ll think about it. I’ll come back to you.
Do you believe in fate?
Destiny. Yes. I think there’s a reason for everything.
I read that you might consider driving in the US in the future. Do you see your career in these chunks?
Like I’m pretty open to let’s say almost whatever in the future. The main thing is I always want to follow my passion and do things that I really want to do. I’ve been so lucky so far in my life that that’s what I’ve been able to do. So that’s something I’m gonna keep following. Today I definitely feel I have a good few years in F1. I still have time and a lot to give the sport, but then what is in the future after that? I’m still quite open, you know? So there’s no set plan. But obviously life will be different for me after F1. But I just love racing so much that I know I couldn’t last that long at home without racing. So I’m sure at some point I’ll want to drive something.
That’s amazing. Also, did you remember the most famous person in your phone?
Actually outside of F1, I have a quiet life. Hmm. Do many people know Lance Armstrong?
Yeah! Of course!
So I’ve got his number. I met him this year in Colorado. Rode a bike with him. Because he’s gone through a lot in his life. Obviously achieved a lot, but gone through a lot. So he’s quite interesting person.
He had almost like a second act as well. You know, had the highs, the lows…
Exactly. Really interesting. Obviously people can think whatever Of anyone, but I really think he is a great human being. What has happened taught him so much in life.
I’m fascinated actually, when two people like you who are so competitive in your day job, is that something that’s channeled when you meet? You know what I mean? Like if you’re racing Lance Armstrong on a bicycle, are you thinking ‘I could probably beat Lance Armstrong on this bicycle’
[Laughs] Um, no, it was more like a relaxed ride. But it was easy. It was not competitive. It was fun.
The Q&A has been edited and condensed for readability and flow.