Bottas‘ Abu Dhabi Farewell Marked by Misfortune
Valtteri Bottas left the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix a symphony of “what ifs” ringing in his ears. The Finn, facing his final race with Alfa Romeo, found his farewell marred by an early incident that effectively ended his chance of a strong finish. After securing a promising ninth-place starting position in qualifying, Bottas’ hopes were dashed on the opening lap. Caught in a tangle behind slower cars triggered a chaotic “three into one” situation, involving Red Bull pilot Sergio Perez. The contact not only inflicted damage on Bottas’ car but also resulted in a 10-second time penalty for the veteran driver.
A Race Full of Frustration
“Definitely not the ideal finish,” Bottas lamented. “These things happen, it’s racing. Not the first time, everything just went wrong since Lap 1.” Perhaps reflecting on the abrasive nature of motorsports, Bottas’ comment hinted at a frustratingly familiar tale for drivers – a single incident having the potential to unravel an entire race.
His teammate, Zhou Guanyu, managed to navigate the Abu Dhabi chaos with more success, but still struggled to climb through the field. Zhou ultimately crossed the finish line 13th.
Looking Ahead
For both Bottas and Zhou, the Abu Dhabi race was a bittersweet end to a rollercoaster season. The pair, knowing that Alfa Romeo would be embarking on a different path in 2025 with an entirely revamped driver lineup, were vying to leave a lasting impression. While this final race may not have yielded the results they craved, both drivers clearly have their sights set on future opportunities within the demanding world of Formula 1.
“I’m not done yet,” Bottas declared. His words held a fierce determination, hinting that his ambitions within the sport were far from extinguished. The specific details of his future plans remain undeclared, but his evident passion and experience undoubtedly make him a contender for potential future opportunities.
What happened during Valtteri Bottas’ final race with Alfa Romeo at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that overshadowed his farewell?
## Bottas’ Abu Dhabi Farewell: A Toast, a Crash, and “What Ifs”?
**Today we’re joined by Formula 1 journalist, Alex Reed, to discuss Valtteri Bottas’ bittersweet final race with Alfa Romeo at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.**
**Archys:** Valtteri Bottas’ farewell was overshadowed by misfortune. Can you walk us through what happened?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. Bottas was aiming for a strong finish in his final race with Alfa Romeo, but unfortunately, an early incident dashed those hopes. [[1](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/1986024/Valtteri-Bottas-F1-driver-dinner-Abu-Dhabi)]details how Bottas got involved in a mishap that effectively ended his race early.
**Archys:** The article mentions something interesting about Bottas paying for the annual driver dinner. What’s the connection?
**Alex Reed:** Well, according to the report, Bottas footed a £4,100 bill for the drivers’ dinner the night before the race. In return, he apparently received some “favorable treatment” in qualifying, perhaps hinting at some good-natured ribbing amongst the drivers. [[1](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/1986024/Valtteri-Bottas-F1-driver-dinner-Abu-Dhabi)]
**Archys:** So, while the dinner anecdote is amusing, the crash undoubtedly overshadowed Bottas’ final race. Do you think this is how he envisioned saying goodbye to Alfa Romeo?
**Alex Reed:** I’m sure Bottas would have preferred a different outcome. He’s a talented driver, and it’s a shame his final race didn’t go according to plan. Still, he can look back on his time with Alfa Romeo with pride, and no doubt, he’ll be looking forward to new challenges in the future.
