F1 Driver So Good at Cycling He Gets Into Trouble Believing He Was Just on Vacation

What began as a harmless bit of fun could turn into a problem for Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish driver signed up with his partner, Olympic cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, for a cycling race during their vacation. But he performed so well that he has qualified for the Gravel Tour World Championship in the men’s division.

Bottas finished fifth in the men’s 35-39 category, which granted him a direct ticket to the Gravel Tour World Championship. The catch is that the event takes place in Australia on the weekend of October 10-11, and that same weekend the Formula 1 calendar runs the Singapore Grand Prix. Bottas would have to choose.

Bottas will have to choose between Formula 1 and the Gravel Tour World Championship

Valtteri Bottas could not have imagined what was coming when he signed up for the Gravel Tour in Hlinsko, in the Czech Republic. Bottas simply wanted to accompany his partner, Olympic cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, but he ended up performing so well that a dilemma now lies ahead: Formula 1 or the Gravel Tour World Championship.

And indeed Bottas finished fifth in the men’s 35-39 category. Specifically, Bottas is 36 years old. The problem is that this result grants him a direct pass to the world championship. In other words, by racing just one race for fun, Bottas has qualified to compete in the Gravel Tour World Championship.

Now the Finnish driver will have to face a dilemma. The Gravel Tour World Championship is scheduled for October 10-11 in Nannup, Australia. That same weekend, Bottas should be behind the wheel of his Cadillac for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. Enjoy a unique opportunity or fulfill his duty.

In reality, Bottas has an active Cadillac contract that obliges him to race all events, so there should be no room for a choice. Another possibility is that Cadillac would be willing to let Bottas enjoy the Gravel Tour World Championship and use the opportunity to give minutes to a driver of interest, such as Colton Herta if he earns the super license.

The Gravel Tour is a cycling discipline of dirt and gravel racing in which registration is open not only to professionals but also to amateurs, such as Bottas. It uses bikes with wide tires and a lot of tread to cope with the terrain, which obviously isn’t the best.

We’ll see whether Bottas harbors any doubts about the Gravel Tour or decides to honor his duty and be at the wheel of the Cadillac in Singapore.

Images | Valtteri Bottas