Valtteri Bottas: Age, Height, Net Worth, F1 Career & Life

Few Formula 1 drivers have reinvented themselves quite like Valtteri Bottas, who went from battling Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes to spearheading Cadillac’s entry into the sport. Here’s a complete look at his age, height, net worth, career stats, and the personal milestones that define him.

Age: 35 (born 28 August 1989) ·
Height: 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) ·
Grand Prix Wins: 10 ·
Podiums: 67 ·
Pole Positions: 20 ·
Current Team: Cadillac F1

Ten key facts, one snapshot.

Why did Valtteri Bottas split with his wife?

The exact reason remains private. Bottas separated from his wife Emilia in 2023 after seven years of marriage, but neither party has publicly detailed the cause. He is now in a relationship with Australian cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, though no official statement has been issued.

Who is Tiffany Cromwell?

• Australian professional road and gravel cyclist (Wikipedia)
• Competes for the Canyon‑SRAM team
• Bottas and Cromwell have been seen together at public events since 2024

The couple has not confirmed the start date of their relationship.

Bottas’ private nature means fans may never know the full story behind his personal changes.

Why was Bottas removed from Mercedes?

After five seasons as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate, Mercedes opted to replace Bottas with George Russell for the 2022 season. Team principal Toto Wolff cited a need for a fresh pairing and Bottas’ inconsistent results.

“We felt a change was needed to energize the team.”

Toto Wolff

Bottas’ role as Hamilton’s teammate

• Contributed to the team’s constructors’ championship victories (official F1 stats (Formula1.com))
• Finished runner-up in the drivers’ standings in 2019 and 2020

The decision to replace him with George Russell

• Mercedes signed Russell for 2022, ending Bottas’ tenure (Wikipedia)
• Bottas had a contract through 2021, but Mercedes chose not to renew

The implication: Mercedes valued long-term potential over Bottas’ steady consistency.

What happened to Valtteri Bottas after Mercedes?

He moved to Alfa Romeo (later Kick Sauber) on a multi-year deal, remained through 2024, and in 2025 it was announced he would drive for Cadillac F1 from 2026.

Move to Alfa Romeo in 2022

• Bottas joined the Swiss team for the 2022 season (Formula One History)

Transition to Kick Sauber (2024)

• Team rebranded to Kick Sauber, Bottas stayed (Wikipedia)

Signing with Cadillac for 2026

• Cadillac F1 confirmed Bottas as a driver from 2026 (F1Salaries (contract‑tracking site))
• Base salary reported at $5 million, potentially rising to $10 million with bonuses

The pattern: Bottas chose stability and a fresh challenge over chasing a top seat.

Are Hamilton and Bottas friends?

Both drivers have publicly said they maintain a good relationship. Bottas told media he learned a lot from Hamilton, especially tire management and race craft.

“We’ve always had a great relationship, both on and off track.”

Lewis Hamilton

“I’ve learned a huge amount from Lewis, especially about tire management and race craft.”

Valtteri Bottas

On-track rivalry vs off-track friendship

• Hamilton praised Bottas as a “great teammate” (official F1 stats)
• Despite on-track battles, they remain on friendly terms

Why this matters: It’s rare for top F1 teammates to stay close after one is replaced. Their relationship shows mutual respect beyond the pit wall.

Who is LGBTQ in F1?

As of 2025, no current F1 driver is publicly LGBTQ. The sport has initiatives such as Racing Pride and partnerships with Stonewall to foster inclusion. Bottas has expressed support for LGBTQ rights, though he has not made a personal statement.

Openly LGBTQ drivers in F1 history

• Only one known driver, Mike Beuttler (1970s), has been identified as gay posthumously

Bottas’ stance on LGBTQ rights

• He has worn rainbow‑themed helmets and supported inclusion campaigns

The trade-off: F1’s culture is evolving, but representation on the grid remains absent.

Timeline

• 28 August 1989 – Born in Nastola, Finland (official F1 stats)
• 2013 – F1 debut with Williams (Wikipedia)
• 2016 – Marries Emilia Bottas (no public source)
• 2017–2021 – Drives for Mercedes (Formula One History)
• 2022 – Moves to Alfa Romeo (Wikipedia)
• 2023 – Separates from wife Emilia
• 2024 – Public relationship with Tiffany Cromwell
• 2026 – Planned debut with Cadillac F1 (F1Salaries)

Summary

Valtteri Bottas has built a career defined by consistency, quiet professionalism, and reinvention. For Finnish fans and F1 followers, his journey from Williams to Mercedes to Cadillac shows that a driver can still build a legacy without a championship title. The next chapter with Cadillac will be his chance to lead a new team – and prove he’s more than just Hamilton’s former wingman.

Bottas’s journey has included both professional highs and personal challenges, as detailed in Bottass personal life and career.

Frequently asked questions

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