en.malanginspirasi.com – Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas opted for an unconventional commute to this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, traveling 260 miles by bicycle from Malaysia following last weekend’s race in Sepang.
The 37-year-old Finnish driver set off just hours after spinning out of Sunday’s chaotic Grand Prix outside Kuala Lumpur.
His multi-day journey covered gravel paths and off-road trails, requiring him to navigate through the night.
Along the way, Bottas encountered a variety of wildlife, including native reptiles and farm animals.
“I saw some snakes, which I was a little bit worried about, but actually they were pretty chill. They were just doing their thing,” said Bottas.
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“I saw one cobra, one python just crossing the path in front of me. I saw some of those big lizards that you also see here, one was on the path. I had to jump over it on a bike because I saw it last minute. I got chased by one dog, I got stuck behind a group of cows on one small track,” he continued.
The nighttime leg through remote terrain presented unique challenges for the veteran racer, who is closely involved with cycling events like the FNLD GRVL race in his native Finland.
“The wildest part was the riding at night in the jungle. The noise in there, your mind starts to play games,” added Bottas. “‘What is out there? Who knows what is out there?’ But then you just need to crack on and keep going.”
Bottas is an accomplished cyclist who previously earned a spot at the Gravel World Championships by placing fifth in his age category during a qualifying race in the Czech Republic over the Formula 1 summer break.
While the World Championships coincide with this weekend’s Grand Prix, he will be focusing on his primary duty behind the wheel for Cadillac.
The ride comes during a challenging campaign for Bottas following his return to the grid with Cadillac, where he currently sits 22nd in the drivers’ standings without a point after eight retirements across 16 races.
