Why is F1 star Valtteri Bottas riding his bicycle from Malaysia to Singapore GP?

In a unique move ahead of the next Formula 1 race, driver Valtteri Bottas chose to cycle from Sepang to Singapore over the week between Grand Prix events. The 37-year-old Cadillac driver had failed to finish the previous Bahrain Grand Prix, which took place in Malaysia, last Sunday. While other drivers and teams opted to fly from Sepang to Singapore for this weekend's race, Bottas embarked on a grueling journey of over 320 kilometers (200 miles) on gravel roads less traveled.

He confirmed the trip on X, stating, "Yea I’m riding to Singapore ... on the gravel roads less travelled."

Bottas has not earned a championship point this season, with his best recorded finish being 13th at the Chinese GP in March. He also failed to finish last weekend, explaining that he went off the track due to a risk of using slick tires in damp conditions, which was his eighth DNF for the season. Bottas has been competing in F1 since 2013 and has secured 10 victories and 67 podium finishes throughout his career.

Max Verstappen recently claimed victory in Sepang, ending his long wait for another race win. The Bahrain Grand Prix, which was originally scheduled at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, was relocated due to the Iran war, marking F1's first event at the circuit since 2017.