F1 Cycling Journey
Valtteri Bottas cycles 350 kilometres from Malaysia to Singapore instead of flying.
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Key Points
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Bottas’s opening leg from Kuala Lumpur toward Port Dickson covered 56.6 kilometres in 2 hours and 8 minutes; he rode it at night, relying on a small handlebar light.
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Explaining his race-ending tyre gamble, Bottas said the team expected the track to dry more quickly and thought slicks were worth trying. He added: “in the end it was my mistake that ended our race, and I can only apologise to the team for that.”
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Bottas qualified for the Gravel World Championships after finishing fifth in his age group at a qualifying event in the Czech Republic, but cannot compete because the championships fall on the same weekend as the Singapore Grand Prix.
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Bottas completed an Ironman on his own property the day after learning he would be off the F1 grid in 2025: a 3.9-kilometre swim, 180.2-kilometre bike ride and 42.2-kilometre run.
Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas is cycling 350 kilometres from Malaysia to Singapore instead of flying between back-to-back races. The 37-year-old Cadillac driver retired early from the Malaysian Grand Prix after a tyre gamble went wrong, then decided to pedal his way to Thursday's media commitments rather than take a plane. He is riding with his partner, professional cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, covering gruelling distances daily to arrive on time.
Bottas has not scored a point this season and sits 22nd in the standings, but the multi-day ride reflects his deep passion for cycling and endurance sports. His opening leg from Kuala Lumpur to Port Dickson stretched 56.6 kilometres in just over two hours, completed at night with only a handlebar light to guide him. He has already covered more than 160 kilometres during a single stage.
A Tyre Gamble That Ended in Gravel
Bottas's Malaysian Grand Prix lasted only a few laps before disaster struck. His team gambled on switching to slick tyres in wet track conditions, betting the surface would dry faster than it actually did. The bet backfired immediately. Bottas spun into the gravel and retired, ending his race and any hope of points.
Speaking about the decision afterward, Bottas took responsibility for the outcome. "In the end it was my mistake that ended our race, and I can only apologise to the team for that," he said, explaining the team had expected quicker track drying. The error left him frustrated but determined—so much so that he opted for a cycling adventure instead of air travel.
Cycling Passion Beyond the Track
Bottas's decision to cycle across Malaysia and into Singapore is no impulse decision. The 37-year-old has long used cycling as serious endurance training and gravel racing as a competitive outlet. His commitment runs deep enough that he qualified for the Gravel World Championships after finishing fifth in his age group at a qualifying event in the Czech Republic.
However, Bottas cannot compete in the championships because they fall on the same weekend as the Singapore Grand Prix. The timing conflict forced him to skip the event. Still, his passion did not waver after learning he would be off the F1 grid in 2025. The day after receiving that news, he completed a full Ironman on his own property: a 3.9-kilometre swim, 180.2-kilometre bike ride, and 42.2-kilometre run.
Racing the Clock to Singapore
The 350-kilometre journey from Sepang to Singapore is a race against the calendar. Bottas must arrive in time for Thursday's media obligations, meaning each day's ride must cover substantial ground. His first night ride of 56.6 kilometres set a gruelling pace, completed in darkness with minimal light and no support vehicle typical of most long-distance cycling efforts.
With his partner Tiffany Cromwell alongside him, Bottas is pushing through multiple stages to reach the paddock on schedule. The multi-day effort transforms what would normally be a two-hour flight into a test of endurance and determination. For a driver sitting last in the F1 standings with zero points, the ride offers a chance to channel his competitive energy into something he loves.
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