F1 star Valtteri Bottas pulled over by police in shock video footage

Valtteri Bottas, Stake, Sauber, United States, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 star pulled over by police in shock video footage

The clip emerged following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Kevin McKenna

Thursday 12 December 2024 22:56

Shock footage of Formula 1 star Valtteri Bottas seemingly being pulled over by police has surfaced on social media.

The incident took place just days after the 2024 F1 season reached its conclusion in Abu Dhabi, where McLaren secured their first constructors' title win since 1998.

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It was an emotional evening across the grid at Yas Marina, with a host of drivers making their final appearances for their respective teams.

McLaren clinched the 2024 constructors' title in Abu Dhabi

Lewis Hamilton made his final appearance for Mercedes at Yas Marina

10-time race winner caught in awkward moment

Lewis Hamilton bid farewell to the squad with whom he won six of his seven world titles, with the Mercedes legend set to make the move to Ferrari next season.

The man he is replacing at the Scuderia, Carlos Sainz, bowed out in style, clinching second spot ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc and providing some much-needed cause for optimism amongst his new colleagues at Williams.

It remains to be seen if Sergio Perez will return for Red Bull next year, with the Mexican's miserable season compounded on Sunday with a fifth DNF since mid-May.

Valtteri Bottas' future in F1 remains uncertain after exiting Sauber

There were also a number of racers perhaps making their final appearance in the sport altogether, including Haas veteran Kevin Magnussen and Sauber's Bottas, both of whom have no spot on the grid for 2025.

Aged 35, Bottas' chances of a return to the top tier appear slim, but the Finn has no intention of retiring from racing just yet having recently confirmed his participation in next year's Race of Champions in Sydney.

But this new chapter has got off to a somewhat rocky start, after he was apparently pulled over by law enforcement while enjoying an off-season drive with girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell.

In a clip posted to his Instagram page, Bottas was filmed in the driver's seat of his car, before pointing to the right wing mirror, where a police officer was standing next to his own vehicle stationed behind the Finn's.