Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas says he wants to do well at Albert Park with his new team Cadillac to repay the Aussie crowds for making him feel at home.
Bottas, the Finnish partner of cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, flew into Melbourne on Tuesday and went straight to an event in Toorak for La Roche-Posay.
“I’m excited to be back in Melbourne and back on the grid this week,” he told the Herald Sun.
“We are a completely new team in the sport and we are making history for Cadillac as a brand. So far I’ve really enjoyed it and the excitement is there for everything we do.
“It’s a great city and a great country and year by year I feel I’ve had more support. It gives me an extra boost that I really want to do well for the people.”
Bottas paid tribute to Cromwell who he met through mutual friends in Monte Carlo in 2019.
The couple has just bought a vineyard in South Australia which he says is a dream come true.
“We got together in 2020 and I felt we had a connection and she got me into cycling big time,” he said.
“It was just to keep up with her but it’s something cool we can do together. A job for her but for me a hobby.
“She has no fear at all, I think cycling is more dangerous than car racing.
“When she has a helmet on she feels she can do anything, it’s scary.”
Bottas gave congratulations to Charles Leclerc who married on Saturday in Monaco, but said he and Cromwell were too busy to give a wedding much thought.
When asked if he thinks Kim Kardashian will join Lewis Hamilton in Melbourne, he told host Carrie Bickmore: “There’s a chance, it’s Formula One so anything can happen. Expect the unexpected.”
Other guests at the La Roche-Posay event included Dyson Heppell, Matt Guelfi, Dylan Buckley, Dan Gorringe, Hattie Piastri and footy WAGs Mattie Gouman and Tash Hoole.
F1 Ferrari star’s secret wedding — with a major Aussie connection
The rumours are true — Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has married his long-time partner in a secret wedding just days before the Melbourne Grand Prix.
In a private civil ceremony in Monaco, Leclerc tied the knot with Alexandra Saint Mleux who wore her “absolute dream dress”, a white off-the-shoulder lace gown by Australian designer Paulo Sebastian.
The pair shared images and video of their special day — enough to melt any romantic’s heart.
Their beloved dog Leo was centre stage as they posed for stunning wedding pictures.
“Can’t wait to marry all over again next year,” Saint Mleux wrote on social media.
Leclerc also shared his joy.
“A day we’ll forever remember. Part one is done and part 2 will be next year with all of our close ones.”
Speculation was rife on Monday they had secretly wed after the pair were spotted driving around the streets of Monaco in a 250 Testa Rossa from 1957.
The sleek, bright red two-seater is worth around $17m and just over 30 of the cars were made across a production run between 1957 and 1961.
The picturesque wedding, attended by only close family and friends, was an elegant nod to Leclerc’s hometown.
He wore an ivory suit for the occasion while Saint Mleux was draped in diamonds.
In November the private couple revealed their engagement, which he pulled off with some help from their sausage dog – the pooch was given a collar that read “Daddy wants to marry you.”
It’s the perfect start to the season for Leclerc who now focuses on race one in Melbourne.