Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas on the benefits of cycling - "It’s quiet, physical aspect helps me and cycling is good for the head too"

The Finnish Formula One standout, Valtteri Bottas, is no stranger to the high-pressure and hectic environment of the racing world. Recognising the toll that constant noise and activity can take on his mental state, he makes a point to disconnect and recharge frequently. For Bottas, cycling through the tranquil countryside is an effective method of doing so.

“My sport is hectic. It’s busy, you are surrounded by lots of people and lots of noise. It is stressful,” Bottas tells Telegraph Sport. He continues, “On the bike, though, it’s exactly the opposite. It’s quiet, there is beautiful scenery, and you have all the time in the world. It’s a really nice contrast from Formula One.”

The nature of Formula One is vastly different from that of cycling, as the former prioritizes speed and accuracy. “I need to escape to nature. Escaping to the countryside is important for me and my head. If I have made a mistake in a race – which is always super disappointing – when I get home the next day, the first thing I do is get on the bike and process what happened. The physical aspect helps me, of course, but cycling is good for the head, too.”

While he enjoys cycling for leisurely purposes, he also sees it as a practical mode of transportation for running errands and reducing his carbon footprint by using cars less frequently. “If you are going to the supermarket or shops, go on a bike if you don’t have too many things to carry. It’s simple, simple choices in life, but I definitely think about it and I think there’s always more I could do.”

Although there is always an element of risk involved, he believes that riding on gravel with less traffic and exercising common sense is the best way to address the issue. “Sometimes you need to accept some risks, but there can be factors that you can’t do anything about – like cars coming from behind which you have no control over. This is why I prefer gravel riding – roads with less traffic is definitely my preferred form. I try to be sensible and use common sense,” concluded Bottas.