Valtteri Bottas cycles from Malaysia to Singapore

Valtteri Bottas has chosen an unusual route between two consecutive Formula 1 events: instead of flying from Malaysia to Singapore, the 37-year-old driver is cycling the distance.

Known for his passion for road cycling, Bottas began the ride immediately after the Malaysian Grand Prix, a race he did not finish because of a retirement. His Strava followers can already see that he has started his journey.

First stage and the plan

According to the plan Bottas published, he intends to cover roughly 350 kilometres in a few days so he will be in time for his media commitments in Singapore on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The opening stage, from Kuala Lumpur to Port Dickson, measured 56.6 kilometres and the driver completed it in two hours and eight minutes.

A widely shared post by sports commentator Joe Pompliano added an external estimate: "Formula 1 was in Malaysia this past weekend and will be in Singapore next weekend, so Valtteri Bottas is cycling between the two circuits. His route will likely cover 250 miles and take 14-16 hours of cycling overall, plus it's also super hot and humid." The post was dated October 5, 2026.

There is a small difference between the figures: Bottas’s own plan cites about 350 km, while the social-media estimate speaks of some 250 miles (roughly 402 km) and 14–16 hours of total riding. Either way, the transfer between the Sepang and Singapore circuits is one of the physically toughest stretches on the calendar, with high heat and humidity.

For Bottas the bicycle ride is both a personal challenge and a statement about how Formula 1 personalities sometimes mix sport and spectacle; the Finnish driver is expected in Singapore in time for scheduled media work later this week.

Photo: press material from the event