At the end of last week, I could do something without any pain and during the weekend I could do some training, swimming and cross-training without any pain, we've been doing everything we can in this short space of time but luckily there was two weeks (gap) and I really feel confident about getting back in the car.

Valtteri Bottas

Categorized in : Sports

With F1, it's really a combination of many things. You have to have good endurance, good strength in certain muscles, you need to be fast, have good reactions and good decisions. It's not as simple as one thing. You need to be a complete athlete.

Valtteri Bottas

decision athlete simple

Normally with any of the races, we go a bit early to get used to the time zone and acclimatize. We'll have a couple of days to see the places. My favorites so far are Montreal and Abu Dhabi. With Abu Dhabi, the facilities are excellent and the weather is always good.

Valtteri Bottas

couple race weather

In Formula 1, the neck is really important. There's a lot of force that's going to your head. We also have a helmet and it's not that light. When it's all about g-force, all of that extra weight in the helmet compounds and puts more and more pressure. To be able to maintain your head in a straight position - especially around the corners and while braking - you need to have strong neck. To train that, it's difficult.

Valtteri Bottas

important light strong

I am pleased with the race and happy with fourth position. It was a real shame for the team that Felipe had an issue at the start. It was a lonely race but the final 20 laps were very tough. Sebastian was quicker than me, and closed up behind very fast, but the fight was really good fun. I know a few tricks that can really help to defend and they all worked today, and I am delighted to come out on top today.

Valtteri Bottas

lonely real fun

During the season, it's a lot of maintaining your fitness, so in the winter time is when the main work is done. During the season, I just try to maintain my speed with different types of drills with my trainer. I also work on some muscles. If there's ever any injuries during races, then I'll focus a lot of my time on the muscle recovery.

Valtteri Bottas

recovery race winter

When we're coming up to the race, the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I always have the same lunch. So that's before the second practice, before qualifying and before the race, I always have a tuna vegetable risotto. The chef makes it slightly spicy, so there's a bit of a kick.

Valtteri Bottas

friday sunday race

We use a neck training machine where you can strengthen the muscles, going front to back, side to side. You can also connect a big resistance band to a wall or something and do the exercise like that.

Valtteri Bottas

training wall exercise

As a team we need to be able to win races, which is what we are always trying to do, i’m sure we have made improvements everywhere as a team, so we’re definitely looking to fight for better results this year.

Valtteri Bottas

sports

We were racing hard, obviously, and of course I ’m not going to back off, I ’m fighting for the positions. I was calculating the risk, I think there was a decent possibility to get through. But, hey, it ended up like this.

Valtteri Bottas

sports

The atmosphere is going to be great again I’m sure, with the upgrades we are bringing here, we are expecting another strong weekend.

Valtteri Bottas

sports

I can be nice - I don't need to be rude for no reason.

Valtteri Bottas

need rude i-can nice

I honestly think the reason I've been able to improve year by year is work. Work with the team, work with my ability, focus on all the single details.

Valtteri Bottas

think focus team work

It's good to get a good lap and get pole.

Valtteri Bottas

pole get good lap

I know when I am in the car I am always doing my best.

Valtteri Bottas

i-am best know car

Every time I jump in the car I feel very happy. Racing is what I love to do and I am very lucky I can do it.

Valtteri Bottas

i-am car time love

I studied to be a car mechanic. That was my plan B. Servicing cars and changing tyres in Finland.

Valtteri Bottas

plan finland mechanic car

You dream about winning since a kid and when you get that first win it took some time to realise it. But once I realised it, it was so cool.

Valtteri Bottas

win cool you time

I think I am very lucky to meet so many people and go to cool places and nice events. I am lucky to be in partnership with Hugo Boss and the team so I enjoy doing these events.

Valtteri Bottas

i-am cool boss people

How many points, how many races you can win, how many times you be on the podium. That's the name of the game.

Valtteri Bottas

name game win you

I always wanted to be alongside a very quick teammate and tough teammate.

Valtteri Bottas

very always teammate tough