Bottas cycles past gridlock outside Sepang circuit

KUALA LUMPUR - Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas surprised onlookers by cycling through the gridlock outside the Sepang International Circuit after his race at the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix Malaysia. Retiring from the event after seven laps, Bottas, who started 19th, spun into the gravel on the wet track, triggering the first Safety Car and leading to his classification as a non-classified finisher.

Despite the chaos caused by rain, motorsport fans were astonished to see the 10-time Grand Prix winner pedaling through the standstill traffic. Fans shared their surprise on social media, with one posting a video and photos of the unexpected encounter. Born in Finland, Bottas is an avid cyclist who frequently engages in international gravel racing events.

He is known for swapping his race car for a bicycle during his stops in Southeast Asia, often taking to local roads and exploring urban cityscapes. Bottas has a strong connection with Malaysian motorsport fans, having raced for Mercedes-AMG Petronas alongside Lewis Hamilton for five seasons. The Finn is also known for his commitment to environmental causes and animal welfare, including supporting rhino conservation.