Valtteri Bottas has revealed that he nearly walked away from Formula 1 at the end of 2018, feeling that the sport was “just cruel” to him. This revelation came during an appearance on the Pitlane Life Lessons podcast, where Bottas shared his frustrations and the eventual turning point in his career.
The 2018 season was Bottas’ second alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, a year in which Hamilton secured his fifth World Championship title. Meanwhile, Bottas finished P5 in the Drivers’ Championship without a single race win—a season that nearly marked the end of his F1 career.
Speaking candidly, Bottas expressed his disillusionment with Formula 1 at the time. “I almost nearly quit my career, because I was fed up with the F1 world and thought it was just cruel to me,” he said. However, he managed to find the strength to continue, returning to the grid with Mercedes and clinching victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in 2019. Bottas described this win as the “turning point” for his career.
Reflecting on this critical moment, Bottas acknowledged that he hasn’t always dealt well with frustration, often allowing his emotions to get the better of him. Yet, the near-quit experience taught him to take a step back and see the bigger picture—a lesson he continues to apply. “I think in the end, I just understood myself that sometimes you need time, sometimes you need to step back and really look at the big picture,” he noted.
After leaving Mercedes at the end of the 2021 season, Bottas joined Sauber, where he faces new challenges. The 2024 season has been particularly tough, as Sauber remains the only team yet to score a point. Nevertheless, Bottas remains committed to supporting his team and lending a helping hand when needed. He emphasized the importance of self-honesty and understanding underlying issues as the first steps in overcoming setbacks.
Bottas believes that it’s essential to process and learn from mistakes, both for himself and for his teammates. “You can actually benefit so much from tough times because that’s when you always learn something new,” he said. He added that offering support to those struggling is crucial because “no one is a machine” and everyone needs encouragement from time to time.
Currently fighting to retain his seat at Sauber for the next season, Bottas is looking toward the future as preparations for the Audi era in F1 2026 gather pace.
Valtteri Bottas’ candid revelations offer a unique insight into the emotional and psychological challenges faced by F1 drivers. His journey from the brink of quitting to finding renewed purpose underscores the importance of resilience and perspective in the high-stakes world of Formula 1.
