F1 star looks unrecognisable as he ditches racing suit for lycra in shock career change

A FORMULA 1 star swapped his racing car for a bicycle to compete in the World Gravel Championships on Sunday.

The F1 paddock is enjoying a four-week break before the United States Grand Prix on October 20.

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So far, 18 of the 24 races have been completed this season, with the finale set to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 8.

But one driver, a 10-time race winner, is filling his free time with more competition.

He may not have claimed victory since 2021, but he remains on the grid in his 12th season in F1.

And while his place at current team KICK Sauber remains unclear for 2025, he is already pursuing a post-F1 career in the form of gravel racing.

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The driver in question is, of course, Valtteri Bottas.

The Finnish racer looked unrecognisable in lycra as he successfully finished the World Gravel Championships in the men's 35-39-year-old age category in Belgium.

Prior to the start, he admitted he was "more nervous" for the cycling event than before an F1 race.

Bottas completed it in a time of five hours and 40 minutes, placing 134th out of 233 entries.

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Speaking on , he said: " Completed it! Gravel WC done ✔️.

"It was hard as expected! With the huge amount of people attending, queuing up for the single track sections in the beginning, and having to fix a puncture 5km before the finish, I was well happy with my day on the bike otherwise 😊.

";Thank you for all the support on the course, it was unreal! And thank you for the best support leading up and during the event to everyone involved 🙏🏼.

"I’ll definitely remember this day!"

Both of Sauber's drivers Bottas and Zhou Guanyu do not yet know whether they will be driving in F1 next year.

Nico Hulkenberg is the only confirmed driver for Sauber in 2025.

🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar - details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁

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