Valtteri Bottas reveals astonishing role during Finnish military service

Valtteri Bottas was a sniper during his mandatory service in the Finnish military, the Mercedes reserve driver has confirmed.

Speaking alongside Guenther Steiner on the Red Flags Podcast, the 10-time grand prix winner revealed his sharp-shooting prowess, a skill he developed in just six months of training.

Conscription for men over the age of 18 is mandatory in Finland, but Bottas was only required to serve half a year due to his racing commitments. 

"I was lucky, I only got to do six [months]," the 35-year-old said.

"You cheaped out," Steiner, who served a full year, playfully responded.

"Because I was racing," Bottas replied in justification, to which Steiner joked: "That's an excuse, that's not a reason."

"But in six months of Finnish winter," Bottas explained. "I became a sniper... Yeah, oh, you know, like a... I don't think 'scout' is the right word, but the one who goes behind or in between the enemy."

After lightheartedly telling the podcast host he could "kill you right now", Steiner asked if he could be recalled.

"They could, that's why..." Bottas started, before the former Haas team principal jokingly interjected: "You're not going back to Finland?" 

Bottas later added: "I was a good shot. That's why they made me kind of a sniper."

'Looking back at it, it was actually fun'

Nonetheless, Bottas is a supporter of the obligation to serve, rising to the rank of lance corporal during his time in uniform.

The former Williams, Mercedes and Alfa Romeo/Stake driver claimed in a different interview that it taught him "resilience" and "self-discipline", which helped him grow up.

"Looking back at it, it was actually fun," he told People.com. "But for sure, sometimes when I was there, it was not so much fun. Like when you're tired and sleeping in the freezing cold forest for two weeks.

"But to me, it makes a boy a man. That is kind of the transition for many people, and to me, it did exactly that. You definitely learn resilience. You learn a lot about teamwork. Because you need to work as a team when you're in extreme conditions or situations.

"You learn self-discipline for sure. And respect, in a way, for everything. That time also made the small things in life feel more serious. Like having a warm and soft bed after some of the camps was a luxury."