Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas revealed shocking details about his Formula 1 journey, including a battle with eating disorders early in his career. The account was made in a personal letter recently published.
Read more F1: Check out the drivers who participated in the press conference in Miami
The revelation exposes a less visible side of F1, showing how the pressure to perform can affect drivers off the track. Bottas explained that the problem arose back in 2014, when he was racing for Williams, as he tried to lose weight due to concerns about performance in the car.
According to the Finn, the situation quickly got out of control: “At that time, my identity was completely tied to racing. I didn’t care about anything else. It’s not a problem until it becomes a problem, and in 2014 it became a big problem,” he wrote. He also admitted directly: “Basically, I started starving myself,” he said.
Read more F1: Red Bull faces a difficult phase, but a comeback is expected
The obsession with losing about five kilos ended up dominating his routine, affecting his physical and mental state. Bottas stated that he reached a point of complete exhaustion, with a direct impact on his health and performance throughout that period.
A change only came after the fatal accident of Jules Bianchi in Suzuka, the same year. From then on, Bottas decided to seek professional help and highlighted the importance of psychological support in his recovery, marking a turning point in his personal life and career, which remains active today in Formula 1.
