Toto Wolff and Valtteri Bottas. (Image: Getty)
boss is facing a backlash for appearing to ban from producing another naked calendar. The Finn is back with the Silver Arrows as a reserve driver for the 2025 campaign and will serve as back-up to and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The 35-year-old previously spent five years with the team after joining from in 2017.
During that period, he played second fiddle to but did claim 10 Grand Prix wins as he helped Wolff and co win a Constructors’ title every year he was there.
He then left for Alfa Romeo after being replaced by Russell, before his . He made headlines in 2024 although not for his driving, but for releasing a naked calendar titled ‘Botass 2024’ to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research.
His efforts duly raised £121,000 for the charity. And it wasn’t the first time that F1 fans had seen him minus his clothes after he bore his backside during the Drive to Survive series.
He’s also posted snaps of himself on social media swimming naked in a river. But it seems such free-spirited behaviour is about to end if he is to stay on board with Wolff’s team.
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Bottas was a team-mate of Lewis Hamilton for five years. (Image: Getty)
“We are , so maybe the nude calendar is not on anymore,” he said. “So we have said that, but we need to keep him authentic. If he wants to keep the ugly mullet, then he should.”
The comments have not gone down well, with @Siwikiwi writing on X: “What an insane and unnecessary comment. It was a fun thing for charity. Toto needs to get over himself.”
@LoveLippy added: I think Merc are doing themselves a massive disservice. Valterri should be free to be his authentic self. Disappointing from Toto.” @petitewalks wrote: “No Toto whyyyyy!! Let him be himself.”
It was a similar story on , with @sparkoflumo arguing: “The calendar was great. Raising money for charity. need a rethink on this one.” pedroguerra03 echoed similar sentiments, commenting: “The calendar raised money for a men’s mental health charity. Just saying.”
from F1 followers in China last April. Supporters were waiting at the airport to hand him a new mousepad, complete with a cartoon image of a man with a big bottom and the caption “BOTTASS”.