F1 star wears budgie smugglers as he competes in race he founded in completely different sport
VALTTERI BOTTAS swapped his Formula One race suit for some budgie smugglers as he went cycling in Australia.
Bottas, 35, lost his F1 seat at Kick Sauber last season and has since been signed up as Mercedes reserve driver for the 2025 season.
But before it gets underway in March, Bottas was taking in some sun in Australia.
The ten-time Grand Prix winner was seen in nothing but budgie smugglers, glasses and a helmet as he rode to the start line of the Tour Down Under ‘Budgy Beach Shakeout Ride’.
As he reached the start line, he could be heard saying, “Morning” to the people behind the cameras.
He then asked: “Does anyone have sunscreen,” prompting laughter from the crowd.
The Finn managed to get his hands on some sunscreen and was seen generously applying it to his arms.
He then posed for some photos with another budgie smuggler-wielding cyclist, who also came with a mullet hairstyle like Bottas’.
Bottas – an avid cyclist away from motorsport – founded the TDU with professional cyclist and South Australian Tiffany Cromwell, who is also his partner of five years, and former professional American cyclist Amy Charity.
The event sees gravel cycling put into a competitive light.
The actual event gets underway across the McLaren Vale wine region in the Fleurieu Peninsula from Friday 24 January, just 30 minutes from Adelaide’s city centre.
It also offers an experience for new and veteran cyclists with two course distances.
These are from the new e-bike and beginner-friendly Vineyard Route and the signature 108k Blue Course through the Adelaide Hills.
Bottas’ former team-mate Lewis Hamilton has been enjoying his first week at Ferrari after having a tour of Maranello and having his first drive in a Ferrari car.