Since moving to Alfa Romeo at the start of last season, Valtteri Bottas has certainly let his hair down, quite literally!
The Finn unveiled a new hairstyle during the recent winter break, with the former Mercedes driver having ditched his traditional look, for a mullet.
Many expected him to ditch the extravagant design before the start of the season; however, he rocked up to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix with the mullet still intact.
Bottas enjoyed a solid start to the campaign at the Bahrain International Circuit, where he claimed four solid points after finishing eighth.
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The Alfa Romeo driver was momentarily able to battle Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Mercedes’ George Russell, with the latter having replaced him at the Silver Arrows.
Whilst he’s no longer in a seat where he can consistently challenge for podiums, the 33-year-old seems considerably happier at the Hinwil-based team, where he admits the “company policies” are slightly different.
Bottas revealed that his mullet “wouldn’t have been allowed” at Mercedes, with him feeling like he can “be who I am” at Alfa Romeo.
“I think company policies are a little different in different workplaces, let’s put it that way. And some things are maybe a little more restricted,” Bottas said.
“I imagine I wouldn’t have been allowed [to wear a mullet].
“I think now I feel I can really be who I am. And yes, certainly there is a little difference.”
As well as embracing a unique hairstyle, Bottas has become more prominent on social media, with the driver often posting images of his life, and more often than perhaps wanted, his rear-end!
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Overall, he’s simply become a more relaxed individual, thanks to no longer having the pressure of being a Mercedes driver, and his Australian girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell.
“She’s Australian and, I would say, a free spirit. She likes to live in the moment and do things that make her happy,” Bottas said of Cromwell.
“It’s kind of a mentality. So yeah, that definitely plays a role. It’s the person you live with, after all. That always has a big, big impact. And yet she’s still trying to make me an Aussie to do it, and it’s done step by step. Yes, for sure.”