Bottas, who joined F1 with Williams in 2013, also struggled to show his personality in the early years, but has now carved his way at Alfa Romeo after leaving the pressure cooker at Mercedes.

The Finn has taken a more active approach to social media, devoting himself to side ventures including a gin and coffee brand and is still grand prix magazines, which would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

Speaking to the media at the Australian Grand Prix, Bottas said it was now easier for him to show who he really is.

“As a rookie, I wouldn’t have come out to the paddock with a tank top and flip flops, even a few years ago,” he admitted.

“It’s easier now. I don’t take myself so seriously. Of course times have changed, but it’s (part of) the sport, when you’re a rookie you’ve got through the system, you’ve pretty much learned how to behave etc.

“But there seems to be a point where you say: ‘Deal with it’.”

Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo C43

Photography: Simon Galloway / motorsport pictures

Bottas believes F1’s “big business” approach has made it harder for young drivers to show their lighter side over the past decade, with the likes of Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris being the few exceptions.

“Getting into Formula One is tricky,” explained the 33-year-old. “Sometimes it’s hard to see real people on track.

“Obviously once you get to know the drivers better off the track, you can really get a sense of their personalities. But the way you do the interviews, the way you treat the sponsors, it’s usually pretty standard.

“In the last 10 years, there have been some celebrities like Daniel Ricciardo who have really brought out his personality. I think it’s nice to see it, but that’s the way it is because it’s serious business, big corporations and big business. money.”

Bottas admits his exposure grand prix It was also impossible to take pictures early in his career. The wide-ranging magazine interview took place at the Swedish championship in January, with Bottas enjoying banter among some of the biggest names in world motorsport in a light-hearted atmosphere.

Bottas got in on the act too, bringing cases of his boutique Vow gin to entertain fellow drivers and guests.

Asked about the outpouring of social media feedback for the cover artwork, Bottas said he wasn’t too concerned with the public reaction but was pleased with the results.

“I didn’t hear any reaction or I didn’t know what people were saying. I did interviews when I was in Sweden for the championship and I’m sure they did a good job.”