Valtteri Bottas gave insight into what business ventures he is currently pursuing outside of Formula One and how they're doing.
While the 2023 season hasn't been the best for the Alfa Romeo/Sauber F1 driver Valtteri Bottas in terms of results, the year hasn't been so bad in terms of business.
Bottas is one of the drivers who pursue multiple hobbies outside of F1. These include fashion, creating his own gin brand, cycling, and coffee. Finn also has an ice hockey team in his country.
The 34-year-old had one more creative and entertaining side project during the 2023 season. He created a nude calendar and donated money from its sales to charity.
In terms of which project is currently the most exciting for him, Bottas pinpointed the Gin that he is working on with his girlfriend. He told Motorsport Magazin:
"Leaving aside Formula 1, I would say Gin, because that's a project I'm doing with my girlfriend. The taste test part is fun (laughs). It's a beautiful project and a passion. When I do something like that, I feel like it gives me energy instead of wasting it."
Having a beverage brand is currently quite popular amongst celebrities, and F1 drivers are no exception. Daniel Ricciardo owns a vineyard, and Lewis Hamilton launched his nonalcoholic tequila brand this year.
Bottas revealed his Gin is not profitable yet as it requires a lot of start-up capital, but he hopes for its success in upcoming years.
"As a company, we are not yet profitable. Of course it needed start-up capital. But hopefully that will change around New Year's and we'll get to around zero. Then we'll see what the future brings."
The Finn also shared he owns 20% of a coffee roastery and 10% of an ice hockey team in Finland, both of which did financially well in 2023. He added:
"I own 20% of the roastery. It's profitable and growing. For the ice hockey team it is 10% and last year we were second in the Finnish league. That was a profitable year, it was good."