Early Life and Education of Valtteri Bottas: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 8, 2026

An overview of the childhood and early education of Valtteri Bottas, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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

August 1989: Birth of Valtteri Bottas

On 28 August 1989, Valtteri Viktor Bottas was born in Nastola, Finland, to Rauno Bottas and Marianne Välimaa.

Others born on this day/year

August 1989: Valtteri Bottas Born

On August 1989, Valtteri Viktor Bottas was born.

Others born on this day/year

2010: Bottas begins dating Emilia Pikkarainen

In 2010, Bottas began dating Emilia Pikkarainen, a fellow Finn and an Olympic swimmer.

September 2016: Bottas marries Emilia Pikkarainen

On September 11, 2016, Bottas married Emilia Pikkarainen, an Olympic swimmer, at St. John's Church in Helsinki.

2017: Bottas launches Valtteri Bottas Duathlon

In 2017, Bottas launched the Valtteri Bottas Duathlon, an annual sporting event held in Finland to raise money for charity.

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.

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.

February 2020: Bottas enters relationship with Tiffany Cromwell

Since February 2020, Bottas has been in a relationship with Australian cyclist Tiffany Cromwell.

March 2021: Bottas becomes co-owner of Lahti Pelicans

In March 2021, Bottas became a co-owner of the Lahti Pelicans ice hockey team in Finland's Liiga, acquiring a 10 percent stake.

April 2022: Bottas launches Oath Gin

In April 2022, Bottas, in partnership with his girlfriend Cromwell, launched Oath, a premium gin "embodying our family heritages from Australia and Finland".

May 2022: Bottas Nude Photo Raises Money for Charity

In May 2022, in collaboration with photographer Paul Ripke, over 5,000 copies of a photo of Bottas naked in an Aspen stream were sold, raising over €50,000 for charity.

2023: Bottas creates nude calendar for Movember

In 2023, Bottas collaborated with Paul Ripke to create a nude calendar, titled BOTTASS 2024, raising $150,000 for Movember, a men's health organization.

2023: Bottas collaborates with ST. ALi and works as barista

In 2023, ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Bottas announced a collaboration with Melbourne-based coffeehouse chain ST. ALi and worked a shift as a barista at one of their locations.