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Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas has revealed his personal struggles with mental health in a candid essay, highlighting the evolution of support systems within motorsport during his career.
Speaking in Miami ahead of this weekend’s Grand Prix, Bottas explained that a more welcoming environment in both Formula 1 and society at large gave him the confidence to share his story in “The Players’ Tribune” piece titled “Born Crazy.”
“The sport has changed a lot, the world has changed a lot,” Bottas said Thursday. “There’s better ways for people to communicate and share their issues, or anything from the past. It’s definitely a more welcoming environment for everyone in F1, but I think also the whole world.”
The Finnish driver, who now races for the rookie Cadillac team making its North American debut this weekend, detailed periods of severe mental health challenges throughout his career. His decision to open up came from a desire to humanize the high-pressure world of elite motorsport.
“I think it’s important to highlight that we’re all humans and no one is perfect. Everyone has their struggles or their issues,” Bottas said. “Hopefully somebody can learn from other people’s mistakes. Part of life is learning about your mistakes.”
In his essay, Bottas revealed how his mental health deteriorated during his five-year stint at Mercedes, where he was often relegated to a supporting “wingman” role behind seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. What began as a promising partnership in 2017 following his promotion from Williams took a toll on his wellbeing by the following season.
“First season was good,” he wrote. “I started the 2018 season thinking that I was the best driver on the grid, and that I was going to win the championship.”
Instead, he went winless and frequently sacrificed his own race position to help Hamilton secure championship points. The situation created internal conflict for Bottas, who struggled with the team dynamics despite respecting Hamilton as both a driver and friend.
“Do you know how badly I wanted to just say no?” he admitted in the essay. “But I had to be a good teammate. I let him through, and of course he had an incredible season. He was the champion. I was ‘the wingman.’ The whole situation almost made me walk away from the sport.”
The pressure led to a serious mental health crisis for Bottas, who began obsessively reading social media comments and developed self-loathing tendencies. “The old me came back. The negative Valtteri. The obsessive Valtteri,” he wrote.
Bottas also disclosed an earlier, two-year battle with an eating disorder that began in 2014. What started as weight management spiraled into an unhealthy obsession that affected both his physical and mental wellbeing.
“It was like a game to me. I’d wake up and weigh myself every morning, and when I’d see the number go down, I’d feel a deep satisfaction,” he revealed. “After two months of spiraling, my nerves were shot. I would wake up at 4 a.m. on my own, no alarm. I was like a drug addict, ‘I’ve never felt better!’ Ha. Completely delusional.”
The situation became so severe that Bottas lost his will to live, admitting to his then-wife that he didn’t care if he died while racing. This realization prompted him to seek professional help, beginning sessions with a psychologist. “It took me almost two years to feel like myself again,” he wrote.
By 2018, depression returned as Bottas grappled with his secondary role at Mercedes. “I was definitely depressed and burnt out. I hated racing,” he admitted, revealing he had decided to retire before the 2019 season. A transformative walk in the forest changed his mindset, allowing him to continue his career.
Bottas’ story comes at a time when mental health awareness in professional sports has increased significantly. While he hasn’t monitored the response to his essay, preferring to avoid social media, he hopes it demonstrates the resources available to those struggling with similar issues.
“The whole sport has evolved a lot. Everything is more professional,” Bottas reflected on Thursday. “I also think when it comes to coaching, physical coaching, mental coaching, that level also has gone up. There is more support available. There’s better packages for drivers when it comes to mental coaches. I think people are less afraid of seeking help, seeking support, because these things are now talked about more.”
Bottas’ revelation offers a rare glimpse into the psychological challenges faced by elite athletes in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where the pressure to perform can exact a tremendous personal toll.
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12 Comments
Mental health is so important, even for elite athletes like Bottas. It’s good to see the sport and society becoming more welcoming of these conversations. Openness and support can go a long way in helping people through challenges.
Absolutely. Bottas is setting a great example by sharing his story. The more open dialogue around mental health, the better we can support those struggling, in sports and everyday life.
Bravo to Valtteri Bottas for his vulnerability in discussing his mental health journey. As an elite athlete, he likely faces immense pressure, and his openness can help break down stigma and encourage more support for those dealing with similar challenges.
Kudos to Valtteri Bottas for shedding light on the mental health challenges faced by elite athletes. His openness can go a long way in destigmatizing these issues and encouraging more support systems in motorsports and beyond.
Bravo to Valtteri Bottas for being so candid about his mental health journey. We need more of these conversations, especially in the sports world where the pressure can be overwhelming. His story will surely resonate with and help many others.
Mental health awareness is crucial, even for accomplished drivers like Bottas. His willingness to share his personal struggles sets a great example and may inspire others to be more open about their own challenges.
It’s heartening to see Valtteri Bottas speak so candidly about his mental health battles. The high-pressure environment of motorsports can take a real toll, and his story serves as an important reminder that no one is immune to these struggles.
Really appreciate Valtteri Bottas opening up about his mental health struggles. Athletes at that level often face immense pressure, and it’s brave of him to share his story. Hopefully it raises more awareness and support for others in motorsports and beyond.
Agree, his honesty is commendable. Mental health issues are still too stigmatized, especially in high-performance sports. His willingness to be vulnerable can make a real difference.
Valtteri Bottas deserves a lot of credit for opening up about his mental health struggles. Sharing personal stories like his can make a real difference in normalizing these conversations, especially in high-intensity sports environments.
It’s refreshing to see a high-profile athlete like Bottas open up about mental health. The stigma is still too prevalent, especially in intense, competitive environments. His honesty will hopefully inspire others to seek help when needed.
Kudos to Valtteri Bottas for speaking up about his mental health battles. Motorsports can be an immense pressure cooker, and I’m glad he felt comfortable being vulnerable. Normalizing these discussions is so important.