Valtteri Bottas’ journey again to Mercedes has include a slight costume code replace – particularly, one which entails just a little extra clothes.
After a couple of years of embracing his interior Aussie larrikin, full with a mullet, a mustache, and a penchant for baring all of it, Bottas is returning to his former F1 staff in 2025 as a reserve driver.
And whereas Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insists the Finn ought to stay true to himself, sure facets of his offbeat humor would possibly want some, let’s say, fine-tuning.
“We’re Mercedes, so possibly the nude calendar shouldn’t be on anymore,” Wolff advised RacingNews365, shutting down any hope of a ‘Botass 2025’ sequel.
The unique calendar, which featured the Finn posing nude in varied inventive settings to lift funds for Prostate Most cancers Analysis, grew to become a shock hit, proving that F1 followers have a wholesome appreciation for each philanthropy and Bottas’ well-toned rear finish.
The Mullet Stays, however the Calendar Goes
Mercedes’ polished company picture gained’t curb all of Val’s quirks. Wolff has even given a uncommon seal of approval to at least one explicit characteristic – Bottas’ iconic mullet.
“If he desires to maintain the ugly mullet, then he ought to,” the staff principal stated with a smile.
Bottas, who spent 5 seasons racing for Mercedes between 2017 and 2021, returns to the staff after a three-year stint with Sauber.
Whereas his time away didn’t yield championship glory, it did enable him to embrace a freer, extra laid-back model of himself, indulging in his love for biking along with his higher half, Tiffany Cromwell, espresso, and, evidently, nude swimming.
His newfound persona even made its means into Netflix’s Drive to Survive, the place he bared all throughout an impromptu skinny dip.
A New Function as Reserve and Mentor
Now, as he steps again into the Mercedes storage, Bottas will tackle a extra structured position as a reserve driver, able to step in for both George Russell or rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli ought to the necessity come up.
However past simply being on standby, Bottas may even function a mentor to the younger Italian, serving to him navigate the high-pressure world of Formulation 1.
“A part of the position of Valtteri might be to take a look on Kimi,” Wolff defined.
“Be there to educate, be there to have an eye fixed on what’s occurring on the observe. And Kimi goes to be taught from Valtteri and from George.”
Bottas’ expertise and adaptableness make him a perfect candidate for the job, having spent years as Lewis Hamilton’s loyal teammate and securing a number of wins in his time with Mercedes.
And whereas the Finnish driver has clearly embraced life exterior of F1’s extra buttoned-up atmosphere, his return to Brackley suggests he’s nonetheless received unfinished enterprise within the sport.
So whereas the Mercedes PR staff can breathe straightforward understanding Bottas gained’t be gracing any extra risqué photoshoots underneath their banner, followers can relaxation assured that the person himself – mullet and all – will nonetheless deliver his personal distinctive taste again to the Silver Arrows staff.
In spite of everything, if there’s one factor F1 wants, it’s just a little persona. And Bottas has confirmed he’s received that in spades – simply possibly along with his race go well with zipped up this time.
Learn additionally: Bottas set for Mercedes outing at Adelaide Motorsport Pageant
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