Bottas: Never say never on rallying career after F1

  • Published on 30 Dec 2019 14:36
  • comments 2
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Coilin Higgins

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas has opened up on a possible future career in rallying after Formula 1, saying that he cannot completely rule out a switch to the sport after F1.

Bottas recently claimed his first rally victory at an event at Circuit Paul Ricard, driving a Citroen DS3 WRC. He also entered the Arctic Lapland Rally last January, finishing fifth in a Ford Fiesta WRC.

Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen also had a brief spell in the WRC in 2010 and 2011 before returning to F1 with Lotus in 2012.

MORE: Video: Watch Bottas drive a rally car at Circuit Paul Ricard

"It's too early to say," Bottas said. "You never know what's ahead in life or what's gonna happen so but at the moment I like it. It's a fun thing for me to do and I like it.

"I also think it's good for me to try it and to have something different for my skills. I haven't thought that far and I still see myself in Formula 1 for quite some time.

"There is still lots to give and lots to achieve for sure. One day, I'll see what I want to do but for the moment I find it a lot of fun and I would say never say never."

'No brainer' for 2021 with Mercedes

Bottas also admitted that he thinks 2020 will be an interesting season thanks to the number of drivers' contracts expiring at the end of the year.

Bottas himself will be out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the year, as well as Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

But Bottas said that he would hope to continue at Mercedes into 2021 as he feels that he works really well with the team and that Mercedes encourages him to become a better driver.

"I think it's going to be an interesting season for sure. I can't remember a time where so many people are expiring with contracts. Of course, me, like every other driver will look at all the possible options.

"Now, if I could decide on my future for 2021 it would be a no brainer to continue with this team. I really enjoy it here, we are performing better and better and I am becoming a better driver all of the time."

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Dert38

    Posts: 377

    Oh come on dude

    • + 0
    • Dec 31 2019 - 01:45
  • JuJuHound

    Posts: 352

    Low expression doesn't mean he has not got the charisma but... he has not have the charisma :D

    • + 0
    • Dec 31 2019 - 08:26

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 00:39

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 00:39

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 209
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar