Valtteri Bottas, the Finnish racing driver for Stake F1, has been actively participating in the UCI Gravel World Championships during the Formula 1 break.

He qualified for the championship by finishing sixth in his age group at the Swartberg 100, a 170km gravel race held in South Africa earlier this year.

Bottas competed in the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships in Belgium, tackling a challenging 182.8km course.

Despite facing a puncture during the race, he finished 133rd in the 35-39 men's class among 232 entries.

While in Belgium, Bottas is also supporting his girlfriend, professional cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, as she competes for her first rainbow jersey.

Bottas has developed a strong connection to the cycling world, participating in various races and even co-founding the FNLD GRVL gravel cycling event in Finland.

His partnership with Canyon, a leading cycling manufacturer, has provided him with high-performance equipment for his transition into gravel racing.

With a significant social media presence of 4.4 million followers on Instagram, Bottas serves as a valuable marketing asset for cycling brands.

His involvement in gravel racing not only highlights the sport but also raises questions about the influence of professional athletes on its grassroots identity.

As he prepares for the final stretch of the F1 season leading to Abu Dhabi, Bottas remains focused on improving his performance after a disappointing 2024 season.

Equipped with a Canyon Grail CFR gravel race bike and a SRAM Red XPLR groupset, Bottas emphasizes the athlete's role in cycling, contrasting it with the car-centric nature of Formula 1.

The UCI Gravel World Championships take place during a four-week gap in the F1 schedule, allowing Bottas to explore this new racing discipline.