‘I have grown a lot in the past 12 years':

Valtteri on the F1 Beyond the Grid Podcast

VB On… Life

“As a youngster when I started in the sport, I was actually quite shy, very reserved, almost like just a machine, you know, who drove the car.

“I didn't really show much emotion and didn't allow myself to just be who I am. I have grown a lot in the last 12 years.

“I've definitely opened up a lot. For me, life is much more straightforward now than it was five years ago. I understand the big picture, being able to have fun with certain things and not take myself too seriously, which I think is very important.

“I'm very comfortable who I am, how I look, how I drive. I'm definitely starting to miss racing. I'm not done yet with Formula One. I still have more to give.

“It's still the number one thing in my life.”

VB On… 2025 So Far, and 2026

“I considered a lot of options for this year, but I thought it best to be present, to be part of a Formula One team, a great team, a great brand that I've been working with, to keep up to date what is happening in F1 2025 in terms of technical things.

“This sport never stops. It always keeps evolving. So I want to understand that. And I also want to be part of a team that allows me to be having some insight into the 2026 regulations.

“That’s why I chose this path, and I hope it helps me to get back on the grid next year.”

“I had a run recently at Paul Ricard with the W11 2020 Mercedes car. Days like that plus the simulator work keep me sharp.

“Mercedes are not hiding anything from me about next year. If I ask questions, they answer them. There is no hiding.

“Toto has known me a long time. He knows that I want to race, and I think he really respects that. I think Toto would like to see me as well on the grid, so there are no secrets.”

VB On… The Team

“I think Mercedes as a team and Toto are quite content with their driver pairing.

“Kimi is making progress. He had a couple of difficult races recently, but that's part of the learning curve. I think Kimi is more their long-term investment.

“George has been doing a great job, very consistent, getting most of the car. I wouldn't see a reason for a change, even if I was a team manager – although I would absolutely take Valtteri Bottas as a driver somewhere!”

VB On… Kimi’s Debut Season

“Kimi has made great progress, I have been impressed. I think the season has gone like I expected.

“He's been really progressing well on his feedback, on his confidence, the way he races, his speed. There have been a couple of mistakes, but that is completely acceptable.

“Miami was really impressive. He didn't know the track, and after only one practice put it on Sprint pole. That shows you he definitely has the speed.”

“It’s all part of the learning curve. You learn what works for you, what doesn't. It's quite easy in this sport to get overloaded with things. Okay, every person is different.

“In the end, you're here to do your job, which is to race the car as fast as you can, to work as hard as you can with the team and minimize any distraction.

“It's a tough one. You need to figure out what gives you energy and what gives you confidence and positivity throughout the weekend.”

VB On… Being a Team Leader

“I found it quite natural. When you have a rookie driver next to you, you know they will ask questions. They might copy your setup, and initially in the season, they will be less confident to comment on the direction.

“That’s when the more senior driver has maybe a bit more responsibility to make sure that the changes you're making and pushing for are actually going to the right direction versus the wrong direction.

“But I really enjoyed it. If you are able to make the right calls and lead the team in the right direction it's super rewarding.

VB On… Fine Margins

“The gaps between so many teams are so small right now. If you're a few tenths off, it means you're last. The tyres are very sensitive when it comes to qualifying and the out laps, so getting them in the sweet spot or not can make a difference of five places on the grid.

“Then you look either really good or really bad.

“I really think it helps if you have experience. If you've driven different kind of cars with different kind of issues, you develop the skill to drive around problems.

“Adapting to that has always been one of my strengths.”

VB On… Life After F1

“If it's not Formula One next year for me, I definitely need to figure out what is the plan B and one option definitely is IndyCar.

“I have never tried oval racing, but I've got no concerns. If it turns out to be IndyCar, I would want to commit to many years because I know it's not going to be easy.

“It's different category, different cars, different tracks. I’m not thinking about that too much right now. The focus is F1.

VB On… His Favourite F1 Memory

“I remember watching on a TV at home when Mika Häkkinen won his first race. It was the last race of the season, at Jerez in 1997. I watched my hero get his first win.

“I was so happy, and it’s a moment that is still very clear in my memory.

“Mika was a hero. Not just because we were both Finnish, but for the way he came back after his big accident in 1995.

“To overcome a coma, being very close to death, and still having that drive to get back and to have your peak in your career after that. That was really inspiring.”