Mercedes F1 driver Valtteri Bottas has announced a split with wife Emilia ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP so as to focus on their careers.
Bottas started dating swimmer Emilia back in 2010 and they tied the knot in September 2016 at St. John’s Church in Helsinki. She has traveled with the Finn for multiple F1 grand prix races while also focusing on her swimming career.
But the married life has certainly taken a toll on both their lives which forced them to take the decision to split mutually, as Bottas made an official comment through social media ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP at Yas Marina circuit.
The statement read as: “Unfortunately I have to let you know that the marriage between Emilia and myself has come to an end. Our ways have split because of the challenges my career and life situation bring and we think this is the best for both of us and our future lives, so we are separating as friends.
“I will be forever thankful for all the sacrifices she had to make for me, for her support during many years and for all the experiences that we have had together. I trust that you will respect both of us and our privacy regarding this matter. This will be all I have to say and comment regarding our divorce.”
Aside the personal news, Bottas is also to take a grid penalty for the final race of the 2019 F1 season as Mercedes noted a fresh power unit for the Finn at Yas Marina after the failure in Brazil GP. He is to start from the back of the grid with multiple new parts.
Here’s the tyre choice for F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Here’s details of the track changes at Yas Marina for the 2019 event
