The F1 driver who went from being an army sniper to winning 10 races
Many of us have made major career changes, but few have been as drastic as the one experienced by Valtteri Bottas. The Formula 1 favourite has revealed details about his stint as a sniper during mandatory Finnish military service.
The 10-time Grand Prix winner was compelled to undertake his nation's compulsory military duties between 2008 and 2009, whilst ascending the ranks towards F1. In 2008, Bottas was racing in the Formula Renault Eurocup series, defeating future F1 drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne to claim the championship.
The subsequent year saw him progress to the Formula Three Euro series, securing third place whilst driving for ART Grand Prix. However, sandwiched between these achievements, he went through military service which remains compulsory in Finland.
Fortunately for the future Williams, Mercedes and Sauber driver, his deployment was shortened to six months, ensuring it didn't derail his motorsport ambitions. During an appearance on the Red Flags podcast, Bottas' disclosure prompted presenter Guenther Steiner to quip: "You cheaped out."
Bottas then provided further details of what it was like to put his motorsport dreams to one side for that spell. He said: "Because I was racing. But in six months of Finnish winter, 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." And Bottas made it clear that you wouldn't want to be on the opposite side of him in a combat situation, adding: "I was a good shot. That's why they made me kind of a sniper."
Upon returning to motorsport, the Finn continued his winning streak. Following his triumph in the 2011 GP3 Series after a dramatic late-season comeback, he was elevated to test and reserve driver status at Williams. The following year, Bottas completed FP1 sessions in all but five rounds of the 2012 F1 schedule before stepping into the series full-time with a struggling Williams team.
However, the Grove team's fortunes turned around at the start of the turbo hybrid era, and the Finn scored nine podiums, before joining Mercedes to replace Nico Rosberg. In five years as team-mate to Lewis Hamilton, he won 10 races to ensure his place in the F1 history books.
Despite the disruption to his budding motorsport career, Bottas looks back on his time in the military fondly. "Looking back at it, it was actually fun," he previously told People"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."
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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
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Why Max Verstappen really stuck with Red Bull for 2026 and his F1 future is far from set
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The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Our writers make 2025/26 Scottish football predictions
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St Johnstone will push them close but County should get over the line League Cup winner: Hearts Scottish Cup winner: Rangers Best signing: Benjamin Nygren - The fee plays a part here as Celtic were able to get the Swede for a bargain £1.7 million due to his contract status at Nordsjaelland. He could be a star in this Celtic team and anyone leading the way for the champions is in this discussion, especially at that snip of a price. **Islam Chesnokov could take this accolade if Hearts can get him in this summer** Player of the season: Benjamin Nygren - As above Manager of the season: Derek McInnes - If my predictions of Hearts finishing a comfortable third and winning a League Cup come true, then it has to be McInnes. He already has them looking fit and bang up for it and he looks like the man they needed at this time. Ryan McGinlay Premiership winner: Celtic, though we may actually have a title race on our hands in Scotland this year. 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The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Our writers make 2025/26 Scottish football predictions
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Simo Valakari was helpless to prevent the Perth club going down last season. But the Finn showed what a good coach he is during his time in charge. League Cup winner: Celtic. Scottish Cup winner: Rangers. Best signing: Djeidi Gassama. The former Paris Saint-Germain kid has started strongly for Rangers with two goals against Panathinaikos. Wingers are notoriously inconsistent and he is young. But he is looking like being a decent bit of business. Player of the season: Callum McGregor. The [[Celtic]] captain was devastated to miss a penalty in the [[Scottish Cup]] final last season. He will be a man on a mission in the 2025/26 campaign. Manager of the season: Brendan Rodgers. Stephen McGowan Premiership winner: Celtic. There are still too many unknown variables with Rangers to predict how consistent Russell Martin's team can be. Third place: Hearts plan to use Tony Bloom's investment and expertise to disrupt the established order. That will take more than one season. Surprise package: Promoted Falkirk will be a pleasure to watch and will surprise people with the style of football they play. Relegated: Difficult to see past Dundee after an underwhelming start to the Steven Pressley era in the Premier Sports Cup Promoted: Ross County will win a tug of war with St Johnstone in Scotland's most competitive league League Cup winner: Rangers Scottish Cup winner: Hearts Best signing: Djeidi Gassama made a quick impact for Rangers on his debut. Expect more of that. Player of the season: If he stays fit - and it is an if - Kieran Tierney will be hugely influential for Celtic. Manager of the season: Derek McInnes feels like the right man at the right time for Hearts Jonny McFarlane Premiership winner: Rangers will close the gap but not enough to take the title and Brendan Rodgers will sign off at Celtic with a third title on the spin. Third place: Hearts, and by a distance. Surprise package: Hearts have impressed in pre-season and bought interesting players with their Jamestown data. With wily campaigner Derek McInnes in charge, I think they might even be in the mix for second if they hit the ground running. Relegated: Dundee. Steven Pressley was an appointment the fans didn't want and are already unhappy with after an abject start to their Premier Sports Cup campaign. They struggled last term, narrowly avoiding the drop and look weakened today. You fear the former Falkirk boss is on a hiding to nothing in Tayside. Promoted: Dunfermline. Neil Lennon's a winner who understands intrinsically what you need to be good at in Scottish football. Marry that with a new owner who will invest, and I can't see past the Pars for automatic promotion. League Cup winner: Rangers. Scottish Cup winner: Hearts. Best signing: Thelo Aasgaard has wowed people behind the scenes at the Rangers training centre with his training showings since arriving from Luton. Big things are expected when he returns to fitness. Player of the season: Callum McGregor. The Celtic captain will be central to any success in Glasgow's East End. Nico Raskin outplayed him in the final Old Firm games of the season and may have something to say if he doesn't depart for pastures new but he will have to improve on even last year's consistency to match his old foe over a 38 game season. Manager of the season: Derek McInnes. Everything about his move to Hearts screams marriage made in heaven. The return of a big, physical Hearts at the Tynecastle caldron will give teams nightmares. Ewan Paton Premiership winner: It's difficult to look beyond Celtic after so many years, bar one, of complete and utter dominance of the Scottish football scene. Brendan Rodgers' contract situation could throw up an interesting storyline, mind you, especially if Rangers can get going under Russell Martin to force a tighter title race. Third place: Hibs. They were comfortably the third-best side last season, and after some smart recruitment by David Gray, I'd imagine they'll fancy their chances of yet again taking the 'best of the rest' crown. A lot will depend on whether or not they achieve European group stage football, though. Surprise package: [[Dundee]] United. They deservedly claimed fourth spot last season, but a bit like Kilmarnock the season prior, they were hardly miles better than the opposition. I can see Jim Goodwin's side struggling towards the bottom this term, especially if they endure a slow start as they balance European qualifiers. Relegated: Falkirk. Surprisingly, this seems to buck the trend, with plenty predicting the Championship winners to take the top-flight by storm. Alternatively, their squad is the weakest in the league, and they don't have enough strength in depth to cope for a full campaign. Promoted: St Johnstone. It's far too early to make judgments based on the Premier Sports Cup groups; however, Saints are free-scoring at the moment. They've made smart additions, and with another one or two before the end of the window, they'll pip Ross County to the title. League Cup winner: Rangers. Scottish Cup winner: Celtic. Best signing: Josh Mulligan will thrive by playing with better players in a more attacking-minded team. He'll prove to be an inspired bit of business by Hibs, and don't be surprised if he's sold for multiple millions next summer. Player of the season: Nicolas Raskin is surely the favourite if he stays put at Ibrox. During the second half of last season, he firmly put himself in the top few best players in the division. With more responsibility as he develops, he'll prove crucial in determining the degree of success experienced under Martin in his debut season at Rangers. Manager of the season: Brendan Rodgers. I always tend to steer clear of either of the big two for this, given the significant advantages they pose over the rest of the league. However, if Celtic win the title for a fifth successive season, and his third in a row, then it would be hard to deny him that accolade. David Irvine Premiership winner: Celtic. Expect Rangers to be improved this season, but there is still too large a gulf between the Glasgow clubs to see the title leaving Parkhead. Third place: Hearts. Derek McInnes will be gunning for third spot in the league and some decent cup runs at Tynecastle. He has the squad and management credentials to achieve. Surprise package: [[Falkirk]]. Despite deserving major plaudits for their recent successes, I expect [[Falkirk]] to struggle in the Scottish Premiership this season. John McGlynn is an excellent coach and will have them playing some decent stuff but they may struggle to grind out results in the top-flight. Relegated: Dundee. We haven't even kicked off the new league season and already there are question marks over Steven Pressley's future at Dens Park. Without a serious turnaround and some new additions, things look very bleak for the season ahead. Promoted: St Johnstone. Simo Valakari found some form with the Perth Saints last season but ultimately couldn't save them. Over the summer, some shrewd signings kickstarted their campaign in the Premier Sports Cup and they look a force to be reckoned with in a tricky Championship. The club knows how easy it is to become lost outside the Scottish Premiership, so have recruited well for a tilt at the title. League Cup winner: Rangers. Scottish Cup winner: Celtic. Best signing: Thelo Aasgaard. Djeidi Gassama has stolen the spotlight for Rangers, but former Luton midfielder Aasgaard will be a key component of Russell Martin's side when he is fit. A talented technician, he could be a difference-maker at Ibrox. Player of the season: Kieran Tierney. A fully fit Tierney would be playing in the Premier League week-in, week out. His return to Celtic is in no small part down to his emotional ties with the club. If he remains fit, then he will prove to be a cut above the rest in Scotland. Manager of the season: It's difficult to look beyond Derek McInnes. A third-place finish and a couple of trips to Hampden, and you'd expect he'd be in the running for the end-of-season gong. His appointment at Hearts just seems to work. Josh McCafferty Premiership winner: Celtic. The gap between the top two this season won't be as significant as last term, but I expect Brendan Rodgers' men to deliver the goods once more. Third place: Hearts are in for a big season under Derek McInnes, and with no European football to contend with, they will be the best of the rest. Surprise package: Falkirk. Back in the Premiership after back-to-back promotions, John McGlynn's side should stay well clear of the drop and perhaps even push for a top six spot. Relegated: Dundee. Steven Pressley's appointment at Dens Park doesn't fill me with confidence, so I expect his side to go down. Promoted: St Johnstone. Simo Valakari's style should come to the fore in the second tier and ensure the Perth club promptly return to the Premiership. League Cup winner: Rangers. Russell Martin will get off to a strong start at Ibrox and win the first piece of silverware of the season. Scottish Cup winner: Celtic. In what could be a last hurrah for Rodgers, I expect them to retain the cup they so painstakingly lost out on last term. Best signing: Kieran Tierney. Not enough is being made of Celtic securing the services of one of the best left-backs in Britain for free. Should he stay fit, Tierney will thrive this campaign. Player of the season: Benjamin Nygren. The early signs shown by the Swede have been entirely positive. Nygren's versatility will see him become a key player for Celtic. Manager of the season: Derek McInnes. A smart appointment by Hearts, McInnes will bring the fire back to Tynecastle and have a fine season. Blair Meikle Premiership winner: Celtic - Rangers will be improved under Russell Martin and so the gap may close, but Celtic should still be too good for them over the season. They have a core of players who are established as the top force in the country and have made some intriguing additions, with more to follow. Third place: Hearts - After some very interesting business with the help of Jamestown Analytics, Hearts supporters are rightfully feeling optimistic. To be fair, Aberdeen and Hibs have done too but both could have the distraction of European football. Plus, the Derek McInnes factor allied with the new additions could be a marriage made in heaven down Gorgie way. Surprise package: Livingston - I like some of the business David Martindale has done and expect them to stay up comfortably. Relegated: Dundee - The sacking of Tony Docherty screamed of poor judgement at the time and the optics of making an unpopular appointment in Steven Pressley only deepened that feeling. Their shambolic Premier Sports Cup campaign has done nothing to assuage fears for their season ahead, either. Promoted: Ross County - The recruitment of the likes of Ross Docherty and Declan Gallagher is very impressive for the Championship and the Staggies still have Ronan Hale to bang the goals in, unless that changes before the window closes. St Johnstone will push them close but County should get over the line League Cup winner: Hearts Scottish Cup winner: Rangers Best signing: Benjamin Nygren - The fee plays a part here as Celtic were able to get the Swede for a bargain £1.7 million due to his contract status at Nordsjaelland. He could be a star in this Celtic team and anyone leading the way for the champions is in this discussion, especially at that snip of a price. **Islam Chesnokov could take this accolade if Hearts can get him in this summer** Player of the season: Benjamin Nygren - As above Manager of the season: Derek McInnes - If my predictions of Hearts finishing a comfortable third and winning a League Cup come true, then it has to be McInnes. He already has them looking fit and bang up for it and he looks like the man they needed at this time. Ryan McGinlay Premiership winner: Celtic, though we may actually have a title race on our hands in Scotland this year. Third place: If it all clicks for Derek McInnes and his analytically fuelled revamp in Gorgie, then Hearts will finish best of the rest. Surprise package: Falkirk. A fun side to watch, I don't think they will make top-6, though they will stay up comfortably under John McGlynn. Expect offers to come in for their manager if he does well in the top-flight. Relegated: Livingston. A big ask for David Martindale's side, though I think they will be a tough side to beat, especially at home on their new pitch. Promoted: Ayr United. Scott Brown and his [[Celtic]] B contingent look strong this season. The league is up for grabs, and don't be surprised if the play-off winners go up, too. League Cup: Celtic, as they will be hungry to avenge their last visit to Hampden. Scottish Cup: Hearts, provided Tony Bloom's recruitment has clicked into gear at Tynecastle. Best signing: Benjamin Nygren. The signs looked good in pre-season for the Swede at Celtic. Time will tell if he can replicate that in competitive action this year. Player of the Season: Reo Hatate (if he stays). If he stays fit and locked-in as we have seen in glimpses over the years, then he could be in for his most eye-catching season yet at Celtic. Manager of the Season: Derek McInnes. I think he will do a good job at Hearts, with a potential cup run/win cementing his status as one of the league's best managerial operators.
