Challenges Faced by Valtteri Bottas: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Valtteri Bottas. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Valtteri Bottas is a Finnish Formula One driver currently racing for Cadillac. He achieved runner-up in the World Drivers' Championship twice, in 2019 and 2020, while driving for Mercedes. Throughout his 12 seasons in Formula One, Bottas has secured 10 Grand Prix victories, marking him as a successful and prominent figure in the sport.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2012: First Mercedes driver to finish a season without a win since Michael Schumacher in 2012

In 2018, Bottas became the first Mercedes driver to finish a season without a win since Michael Schumacher in 2012.

2014: Retained by Williams, Gearbox Penalty, Tyre Puncture

In 2014, Valtteri Bottas was retained by Williams and partnered with Felipe Massa. At the Australian Grand Prix, he started fifteenth due to a gearbox change penalty and suffered a tyre puncture during the race but recovered to finish fifth.

2015: Back Injury, Podium at Canadian Grand Prix

In 2015, Valtteri Bottas suffered a back injury at the Australian Grand Prix and secured a podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix.

2016: Gearbox Penalty, Collision with Hamilton, Podium at Canadian Grand Prix

In 2016, Valtteri Bottas faced a gearbox penalty at the Australian Grand Prix, had a collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain Grand Prix, and achieved a podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix.

2018: Worst Season in Formula One

In 2018, Valtteri Bottas had his worst season in Formula One, finishing without a win and setting a record for the most second-place finishes (seven) in a season without a win. He finished fifth overall in the World Drivers' Championship with 247 points. He almost retired from the sport at the end of 2018.

2018: 2018 Season Performances

In 2018, Valtteri Bottas started 15th at the Australian Grand Prix after crashing in qualifying and taking a gearbox penalty, recovering to eighth place. He qualified third at the Bahrain and Chinese Grand Prix, leading the latter before being overtaken. He led the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with two laps remaining but retired due to a puncture. He also had second-place finishes at the Spanish and Canadian Grands Prix.

November 2019: Bottas announces separation and divorce

On November 28, 2019, Bottas announced his separation and divorce from Emilia Pikkarainen, citing career and life challenges.

2020: 2020 Season Performances

In 2020, Valtteri Bottas set the fastest time in pre-season testing. He took pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix and won the race. He was investigated for breaching COVID-19 safety protocols but was cleared. He finished second at the Styrian Grand Prix. He qualified second and finished third at the Hungarian Grand Prix, losing the championship lead. A tyre failure at the British Grand Prix resulted in an 11th-place finish. Tyre issues at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix demoted him to third in the Drivers' Championship.

2021: 2021 Season Performances

In 2021, Valtteri Bottas extended his contract with Mercedes. He finished third at the Bahrain and Spanish Grand Prix. He was involved in a collision with George Russell at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. At the Portuguese Grand Prix, a sensor issue ended his pursuit of second place. A pit stop failure at the Monaco Grand Prix forced him to retire. He finished 12th at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to a lack of pace.

2022: Bottas describes move to team as a "mistake"

In 2022, Bottas ended the season 22nd in the World Drivers' Championship and failed to score points. Reflecting on his three-year tenure, he described his 2022 move to the team as a "mistake", influenced by Frédéric Vasseur's presence, and regretted not leaving when Vasseur moved to Ferrari.

2022: Bottas withdraws from Race of Champions debut

In 2022, Bottas was scheduled to make his Race of Champions debut, partnering with Mika Häkkinen, but he withdrew from the event at the last minute.

2022: 2022 Season Performances

In 2022, Valtteri Bottas finished ninth at the Monaco Grand Prix and retired from ninth place at the British Grand Prix with a gearbox issue. He also retired at the Hungarian, Belgian and Dutch Grands Prix. He retired at the United States Grand Prix. He finished tenth at the Mexico City Grand Prix and ninth at the São Paulo Grand Prix.

2023: Bottas competes at the Race of Champions

In 2023, Bottas competed at the Race of Champions alongside Mika Häkkinen. They represented Finland in the Nations Cup but were knocked out, and Bottas was eliminated by Tom Kristensen in the Champion of Champions tournament.

2023: 2023 Season Performances

In 2023, Valtteri Bottas continued driving for Alfa Romeo. He finished eighth at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Damage from debris produced an 18th-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He finished 11th at the Australian Grand Prix. His first points since Bahrain came at the Canadian Grand Prix. His car broke down in qualifying at the British Grand Prix. After the race, Bottas reflected "we're not meeting the targets we've set ourselves".

2024: 2024 Season Performances

In 2024, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou were retained as the team rebranded to Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. He qualified 16th at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Pit stop issues led Bottas to comment that the team's poor start to the season "needs to be a wake-up call". He retired from the Chinese Grand Prix with an engine failure.

2025: Sauber signs Nico Hülkenberg and Bottas considers options

In 2025, Bottas was in talks with Audi ahead of their Sauber team takeover, but Sauber signed Nico Hülkenberg for 2025. Bottas was "confident" of finding a seat, considering his options as Audi delayed deciding on a second driver, and other teams' options narrowed.