Valtteri Bottas steps away from F1 and takes up new role in cycling

Valtteri Bottas finished P14 at the French Grand Prix.

Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas has decided to take a momentary break from Formula 1 and support his partner at the first-ever Tour de France Femmes.

The Alfa Romeo F1 Team driver was spotted handing out water bottles to Canyon-SRAM Racing, who his partner, Tiffany Cromwell, races for.

Bottas and Cromwell got together soon after the Finn and ex-wife Emilia Pikkarainen broke-up, with the professional cyclist seen regularly in the back of the Alfa Romeo garage.

The Finn was filmed cheering his partner on, as the professional cyclists sped fast at an incredible speed.

Bottas has been seen at some of Cromwell’s races before, with the 32-year-old revealing to Cycling Weekly that road cycling has been “interesting to get into”.

“Since meeting Tiff I’ve definitely had a different view of the sport now, and I’ve learned that it’s highly competitive and, I feel, underestimated. It’s been really interesting getting into it,” Bottas said.

“The racing dynamics are really interesting and it never gets boring. And I don’t think it’s actually that bad thing that the stages are a bit shorter than men’s events, because it means that there’s less dull moments let’s say.

“They’re all top, top athletes and have dedicated their lives to the sport, and it’s always nice to follow top athletes.”

Following stage three of the eight, Cromwell occupied 43rd place.

Article continues below

The inaugural competition comes to a close this Sunday; however, Bottas will be unable to attend.

Whilst his partner is reaching the top of the La Planche des Belles Filles, the Finnish driver will hopefully be battling in the top ten at the Hungaroring.

Alfa Romeo have struggled as of late, as they’ve seen themselves fall away from the top midfield sides.

READ: Lewis Hamilton astonished by Max Verstappen at 2022 French Grand Prix

Bottas finished 14th at last weekend’s French Grand Prix, in what was a disappointing weekend for the Finn at the Circuit Paul Ricard.

The former Mercedes F1 Team driver is currently ninth in the Drivers’ Championship, whereas Alfa Romeo has slipped to sixth place in the Constructors’ Standings.

Bottas has failed to score a point in the last three GPs, with his last points finish coming at the Canadian Grand Prix.