Valtteri Bottas has said his goodbyes to Stake F1 in typical Valtteri Bottas fashion.
Since leaving Mercedes at the end of 2021 and joining the Sauber organisation, initially racing under the Alfa Romeo banner for the first two years and then the Stake banner this season, the lighter side of Bottas' character has emerged.
Initially, it was posting a picture to his Instagram showing him swimming in a stream in Aspen, Colorado, with his bare bottom on show.
Remarkably, 5,000 people bought a copy of the print which helped to raise more than €50,000 for charity.
Spurred on by that success, the Finn then produced a calender, entitled 'Bottass 2024', with a different picture for every month of him with his bottom again on show. That raised $150,000 for men's health charity 'Movember'.
Now, on the day Stake F1 has confirmed it would be releasing Bottas at the end of this season, instead preferring rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, the 35-year-old has posted a short video to his social accounts.
Wearing a black t-shirt and baseball cap, Bottas delivers his message to camera. "Hi everyone, I guess you might have seen the news that I won't be racing in Formula 1 with Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber in 2025.
"I wanted to just take this opportunity to thank you all for all the support out there, in the past, now, and in the future. And also big thanks to the team for everything.
"I mean, when one door closes, another door opens. And I'm actually very excited of the future and what's next."
As he concludes, the camera pulls away and reveals Bottas wearing also nothing but his underpants!
Funny to the end Valtteri!
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