Valtteri Bottas torn apart and told to 'work in the circus' with future uncertain
Valtteri Bottas has received some strong criticism amid his uncertain future.
Valtteri Bottas has been told to ‘work in the circus’ in a brutal put-down over his Formula One struggles. The Finn is yet to score a point in the 2024 World Championship and his Sauber future has been thrown into doubt.
Bottas, previously a successful sidekick to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, will fight to remain at Sauber next season. The team have already signed Nico Hulkenberg to a long-term contract, meaning either Bottas or Zhou Guanyu will make way.
Former motor racing team boss Frans Verschuur has criticised Bottas for his off-track interests. The 34-year-old raises money for charity and has got into bike racing in recent years. On Saturday, he secured his first gravel bike race victory at the FNLD GRVL.
But Verschuur is not impressed. “He just has to stop, just like Perez,” the Dutchman told Ziggo Sport Race Cafe.
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“What he is doing does not belong in Formula One, and he drives like a newspaper.
“Do you know how many talents there are? He can work in the circus with [Daniel] Ricciardo, two clowns together. First drive fast, then humour.”
Bottas is “confident” he’ll drive in F1 next season. But he added: “obviously in this sport nothing is confirmed, so it’s never 100 per cent sure until you’re signed.
“But at least how I see the situation at the moment, I’m not worrying. But it should be an interesting week or two ahead for sure.
“It’s something you get used to, obviously, it’s a way more comfortable feeling if you know what is happening, but at the same time, it’s kind of exciting, a kind of certain element of unknowns.
“There could be something new and exciting on the way. That’s kind of nice. But [I] just need to live with the situation.”
Sauber will decide on who will drive alongside Hulkenberg next season. Bottas, who was replaced at Mercedes by George Russell in 2022, is 20th in the Drivers’ Championship leaderboard, a place behind team-mate Zhou.
But neither Sauber drivers have registered a point in a largely disappointing season for the team. Bottas came third at Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, while Zhou finished 15th.
Bottas is vastly experienced in F1 and has 10 career Grand Prix wins. His most successful spell came at Mercedes.
