With an ice-cool gaze and a exceptional capacity to maintain calm in high-pressure conditions, Valtteri Bottas isn’t not like different well-known Finns which have come earlier than him in Components 1.

After all, there may be Mika Hakkinen, can boast profitable back-to-back world titles in 1998-99 at a time when Michael Schumacher was threatening to dominate the game, however the newest F1 star that Finland produced — previous to Bottas’ arrival on the scene — was Kimi Raikkonen.

A world champion with Ferrari in 2007, Raikkonen first caught the eye by displaying comparable traits to the compatriot that got here earlier than him, and likewise, Bottas’ racing capacity — and persona — has additionally confirmed similar to his Finnish predecessors.

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However whereas Raikkonen at occasions appeared disdainful of the scrutiny that got here with being an F1 driver, Bottas’ comparable avoidance of the eye — and the notion that he’s likewise a person of few phrases — is one which maybe stems extra out of indifference.

Whereas his counterparts are emotional, even theatrical, and cater to a complete new technology of followers with different curiosity off the circuit, Bottas stays fairly pleased to easily let his driving do the speaking for him.

“I see no motive (for it’s in any other case),” he informed ESPN. “Different drivers produce other pursuits and that is tremendous however (for me) driving is the factor that issues within the sport.”

The Alfa Romeo driver was chatting with ESPN forward of the Singapore Grand Prix, on the sidelines of a closed-door occasion on the flagship retailer of PUMA — the staff’s official race gear provider — located alongside the nation’s famed Orchard Highway procuring belt.

This weekend’s Singapore GP marks the primary time Components 1 will grace the Asian nation for the reason that coronavirus pandemic compelled the 2020 and 2021 races to be cancelled.

Since then, glamorous new venues have been launched, threatening to usurp what was as soon as known as “the crown jewel” of the F1 calendar but additionally a race that has confronted criticism for not precisely being a racing spectacle — given overtaking on the Marina Bay Road Circuit is notoriously tough.

So is Bottas a fan of the Singapore GP?

“It is undoubtedly good to be again,” stated the 33-year-old. “After I arrived and noticed the surroundings of the town with the lights and the buildings, it is a cool place to be: the unique F1 night time race.

“After which, seeing all of the followers who’re very excited to have us again, I am very excited too.

“I am wanting ahead to it. It is a robust one — an especially tough monitor — you’re feeling the ache on the finish of the race. I’ve solely been on the rostrum as soon as earlier than however I sit up for it. It is at all times fairly an unpredictable race with security automobiles and stuff.

“It’s important (to have a race just like the Singapore GP). It is at all times good to have sure customary tracks on the calendar but additionally one thing completely different like this. Additionally visually, it is a fantastic place. For the cameras, it is a dream place.

“So sure, it has its place on the calendar.”

For Bottas, 2022 has confirmed to be an eventful one in his first yr with Alfa Romeo following 5 seasons with Mercedes, by which they received the constructors championship every year.

With 46 factors to his identify alone, the Finn has already outscored by greater than thrice what Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi — in addition to reserve driver Robert Kubica — achieved in 2021.

Nonetheless, the previous seven races haven’t solely seen him end outdoors the factors positions, but additionally included three retirements.

General although, for somebody who doesn’t search being within the highlight, it has been fairly a pleasant change of surroundings for Bottas after his time driving for a title contender alongside a seven-time world champion in Lewis Hamilton.

Though that doesn’t essentially imply his starvation to succeed has diminished.

“The beginning of the season was actually, actually constructive,” he added. “We have been scoring factors persistently. Lately, we have had fairly just a few points with the reliability.

“So with the event of the automotive, we have additionally began to take a look at the yr forward. However we’re nonetheless seeking to finish the season sturdy.

“It has been completely different, coming from fairly a high-pressure atmosphere — which is the case combating for titles. For the time being (with Alfa Romeo), it is extra of aiming to be sturdy within the years to come back, so it is a completely different method.

“Nonetheless, I am actually motivated and naturally there’s nonetheless the chance (to do properly at current).

“I feel the trick is to try to scale back any outdoors stress and attempting to make use of the personal stress you give your self. You do need to succeed so there must be an overlying stress inside.

“However over time, with extra races and season, you discover ways to take life not as critically typically. And it is so necessary to benefit from the sport.

“It would not final without end so you could take advantage of out of each single day. It’s a staff sport so it is actually necessary to do issues collectively as a staff, and I am actually having fun with it for the time being.”

For a person with a popularity for saying few phrases, Bottas actually had a lot to say. Intelligently and engagingly.

And with one other one in all his media commitments — which he deems “a part of the job” — accomplished, he broke out into the warmest of smiles and supplied a pleasant fist bump.

Ice cool however removed from chilly. Quiet however hardly silent.

As he did whereas praising Singapore — each the town and the grand prix – in glowing phrases, in addition to when referring to the starvation to succeed that is still inside him, Bottas can actually communicate up when he has to.

He simply prefers to let his driving to the speaking for essentially the most half.