Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas has chosen an unusual route to reach his next Grand Prix. The Cadillac F1 driver has embarked on a cycling journey of around 350km instead of taking a flight from Malaysia to Singapore.
This multi-day bike ride is from Sepang to Singapore, where the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is going to be held this weekend.
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Valtteri Bottas started this journey after the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. This year, due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, the Bahrain Grand Prix was shifted to the Sepang International Circuit.
After the race, while the rest of the Formula 1 paddock is using conventional transport to Singapore, Bottas decided to complete this long-distance journey on a bicycle.
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Valtteri Bottas Sets Out on a 350km Journey
Bottas’ goal is to cover approximately 350km from Malaysia to Singapore. This journey is being completed not in a single stretch, but in multiple stages. According to Cadillac, Bottas is expected to reach Singapore in approximately three days.
During the journey, the Finnish driver cycled through rural roads, gravel tracks, dirt paths, and plantations. He also engaged in night riding, where dark stretches were covered with the help of bicycle-mounted lights.
Bottas also documented his journey on social media, sharing updates on the cycling route and different stages. This ride is not only an alternative to travel, but also highlights Bottas’ passion for cycling.
56.6 km covered in the first stage
Valtteri Bottas covered 56.6 km in the first recorded stage of the journey. According to his cycling activity, the ride took 2 hours and 8 minutes and recorded an elevation gain of 268 meters. The route went from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport area towards Port Dickson.
Bottas then completed the second stage of the journey. On Monday, he covered a distance of 161.91 km and spent nearly six hours on the saddle. After this stage, his journey came closer to Singapore.
Tiffany Cromwell also accompanied him on the journey
Valtteri Bottas is riding with his partner Tiffany Cromwell in this cycling challenge. Cromwell is an Australian professional road and gravel cyclist, so this endurance journey is taking place in a familiar cycling environment for Valtteri Bottas.
Bottas himself takes cycling seriously. He regularly participates in gravel cycling events and is also a co-founder of Finland’s FNLD GRVL gravel cycling event. He recently secured qualification for the Gravel World Championships, although due to a date clash with the Singapore Grand Prix, he will not be able to compete in the championship.
Target to Arrive Before the Singapore Grand Prix
Bottas’ main target is to arrive in Singapore before Thursday’s mandatory media commitments. The official track action of the Singapore Grand Prix begins on Friday, so drivers will have limited recovery time after completing the cycling journey.
This challenge comes immediately after a difficult Malaysian Grand Prix weekend for Bottas. At the Sepang race, the Cadillac driver took a risk by starting on slick tires in wet conditions, but the strategy didn’t work, and he retired early from the race.
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Bottas’ 2026 F1 Season Has Been Tough So Far
The 2026 season has been challenging for Bottas. In Cadillac’s full-time F1 debut season, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are trying to establish the team, but Bottas has yet to score points in the championship.
After 16 Grands Prix, Bottas is in 22nd place in the Drivers’ Championship standings, with his best result of the season being 13th place at the Chinese Grand Prix. His retirement in Malaysia brought his season’s DNF count to eight.
Now, Valtteri Bottas will be looking forward to a fresh start in Singapore. Returning to an F1 car at the Marina Bay Street Circuit after a 350km cycling journey will definitely be an unusual transition. But for Bottas, cycling is an important part of physical training as well as mental reset, and this endurance challenge could be an interesting way to refresh his focus before the Singapore Grand Prix.
Image source: Valtteri Bottas via X
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