Weekly Hot Take: Valtteri Bottas is the Most Underrated F1 Driver
There, I said it- Valtteri Bottas is extremely overlooked and underestimated in the world of F1. 2025 marks his 13th season in F1 and the Finn has been driving for successful teams and scoring points consistently since 2013. It may seem like he is taking the backseat as Mercedes’ reserve and test driver this year, but he is still an icon of the sport and developing his personal brand. This legend deserves more recognition for his impact on the sport, and today we will honor his current legacy and celebrate his accomplishments as well as look to his future, which is looking bright.
Bottas achieved his racing experience by driving and winning in Finland's National Karting squad, Formula Renault 2.0, the Formula 3 Euro series, and the GP3 Series. Because of his massive success, Williams signed him as test and reserve driver during the 2010-2012 seasons. In 2013, he got an official seat in the Williams and collected the most points without a win, an impressive record that showcased his consistent scoring and driving skill. Eventually, he impressed Mercedes enough to take over Nico Rosberg’s seat for the 2017 season. In the Mercedes seat next to Lewis Hamilton, Bottas executed an astounding 307 World Driver’s Championship points and placed 3rd overall, tying world champions Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel for a record 13 podiums. Because of Bottas’ ability to keep up with Hamilton, Mercedes won the World Constructor’s Championship for 5 consecutive years from 2017 to 2021, helping to set their record of 8 consecutive WCC titles.
My glorious king VB77 on the top step of the F1 podium in Austria. Photo courtesy of CGTN.
At the end of the 2021 season, Bottas’ win ratio to Hamilton had dropped drastically, and Mercedes let him go in pursuit of young talent, eventually found in the form of George Russell. Bottas signed with Alfa Romeo-Sauber for the 2022 season, earning 49 points overall and placing P10 in the Driver’s Championship - which is quite astonishing. 2023 and 2024 were forgettable for Bottas given the objectively bad car fielded by Sauber. The fact that he was able to escape the Sauber tractor and return to a top team (even in a backup role) is key to having a career in F1 in the future, as he has now proven himself as a persistent and dedicated driver, not ready to back down or give up.
That future career could manifest itself as the 2026 Cadillac F1 Team seat (as I am hoping and praying that it does!!) Bottas may be overlooked because of his poor 2024 team, but truly he is a driver of great skill and technical knowledge who deserves more recognition for his achievements - including his 103 consecutive Q3 appearances from 2017-2022. He is one of the top drivers vying for the Cadillac seats, and the dice could roll in his favor if he performs well at any time this season in place of Russell or Antonelli. I truly think that the Cadillac seat is in reach for Bottas, and if his teammate was Franco Colapinto or retired king Daniel Ricciardo, the 2026 season could be one of dreams. Apparently the 11th F1 team has been in talks with Red Bull retiree Sergio Perez about next year, which would mean an incredible comeback after how the end of the 2024 season went for him. Cadillac had a conversation with Bottas about the seat last year too, and he described the new team and its opportunities as “an interesting project.” Of course the American team will try to prioritize an American driver on their main lineup, but an experienced and talented driver like Bottas will have just as good of a chance.
Valterri Bottas locked in during the RADL GRVL cycling race in Adelaide, Australia. Photo courtesy of Bicycling.
When Bottas is not driving F1 cars at high speed, he is likely doing a multitude of other ventures. After losing his seat in 2024, he created his personal brand called “What’s Next?” and uses it to promote cycling events, his drink passion projects Oath Gin and Kahiwa Coffee Roasters, and even his iconic bleached blonde mullet. Wherever Bottas decides to go next, I know I am along for the ride to see him succeed time and time again (fingers crossed it is Cadillac though!!) Thanks for reading, and I hope this helped you learn a little more about one of F1’s most iconic drivers.
Lights out and away we go,
Lucy xx
