F1 drivers gear up for Singapore Grand Prix with walks, padel and a 350km cycling tripF1车手们通过散步、打板式网球和350公里自行车之旅为新加坡大奖赛做准备
F1 driver Valtteri Bottas cycles 350km to the Singapore Grand Prix, while other drivers arrive early for fan events and race preparations. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Valtteri Bottas is cycling from Sepang to Singapore, instead of flying like most of his peers.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM VALTTERIBOTTAS/INSTAGRAM
Published Oct 06, 2026, 06:51 PM
Updated Oct 06, 2026, 10:27 PM
Valtteri Bottas cycles 350km from Sepang to Singapore for the Grand Prix, sharing his journey with fans and enjoying local culture.
Other F1 drivers have arrived in Singapore for fan events, media activities, and casual outings ahead of the race.
Despite the recent haze in Singapore, organisers confirm no risk to the event's safety or operations for the upcoming Grand Prix.
SINGAPORE – Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas has done a number of wild and quirky challenges off the track, including his internet-famous stunt in 2024, when he completed a full-distance Ironman triathlon (3.9km swim, 180.2km bike ride, 42.2km run) in his home.
But his latest feat might just top that.
Unlike most of his peers who are flying in for the Oct 9-11 Singapore Grand Prix, the Cadillac driver has opted to cycle 350km from Sepang to Singapore after the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
“Yes I’m riding to Singapore... on the gravel roads less travelled,” he said in a post on Instagram, which has since notched 428,000 likes.
The 37-year-old began his three-day journey after he retired from the Sepang race on Oct 4 , sharing daily updates on social media. He covered 56.6km in just over two hours on Oct 4, and 161.91km over 5hr 45min on Oct 5.
He is expected to arrive in Singapore in time for pre-race media activities, which begin on Oct 8. The grand prix’s first practice session is on Oct 9.
Clips and photos of Bottas on his bike on the roads of Malaysia emerged on Oct 5, while Bottas himself actively posted updates on his ride, which involves road and gravel terrain.
His journey has brought him face to face with monkeys, through trails in the dark illuminated by just his headlamp, and also down Melaka’s iconic Jonker Street.
He has also taken the time to enjoy local cuisine such as chicken rice balls and satay.
An avid cyclist and endurance sports enthusiast, Bottas competed at the UCI Gravel World Championships in 2024 and had qualified for the 2026 edition, though he will not be participating as it is taking place this weekend.
Valtteri Bottas made sure to enjoy local cuisine on his ride from Sepang to Singapore. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM VALTTERIBOTTAS/INSTAGRAM
Valtteri Bottas made sure to enjoy local cuisine on his ride from Sepang to Singapore.
F1’s other drivers have had a less exciting journey to Singapore. Most of them have already arrived in the Lion City and have been spotted at Changi Airport, and in areas around the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Haas’ Oliver Bearman and Williams’ Alex Albon were the first to greet throngs of fans in shopping malls ION Orchard and Bugis+ respectively on Oct 6.
At an event with motor sport and lifestyle brand Quadrant, Albon said he went on a run around Marina Bay and visited some bubble tea shops in the morning.
He added that he hopes to find more local food places that are open late.
One tip from him on driver-spotting: “If you want to find drivers, go to any padel places late at night. There’s a group chat right now kicking off. If you visit any padel places open past 10pm you will find a driver or a few drivers.”
Mercedes driver and 2025 Singapore GP winner George Russell was spotted on a leisurely stroll with his partner Carmen Montero Mundt near the Helix Bridge on Oct 5. The affable Briton even stopped to chat and take wefies with fans.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz was filmed taking a dip at the infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands, and wandering around Maxwell Food Centre in search of local fare.
Reigning F1 champion Lando Norris, meanwhile, enjoyed a game of padel with Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto.
A slew of drivers will also make public appearances at fan events across town later this week.
On Oct 7, motor racing enthusiasts can catch Ferrari fan favourite Charles Leclerc at eyewear brand Ray-Ban’s Beyond The Track pop-up in Clarke Quay from 5pm, Norris at Puma’s store in VivoCity, as well as Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad at the Festival of Thrills at WEAVE on Sentosa.
Mercedes duo Kimi Antonelli and Russell will make an appearance at the adidas Brand Centre Orchard on Oct 8.
On top of competing in a 21-lap sprint race on Oct 10 for the first time, the drivers will have to deal with an additional challenge this weekend.
The island has been shrouded in a blanket of haze the last few weeks, though that will not dampen the spirits of motor racing fans and race organisers.
A Singapore GP spokesperson said it will work closely with the relevant agencies to assess the situation before making any decision on the event if the haze causes issues with visibility, public health or operation issues.
An F1 spokesperson later said in a reply: “There is absolutely no risk to the event and the conditions where the event is taking place are not at any level of concern.”
Laura Chia is a journalist covering breaking news and current affairs, with an interest in sports.
Singapore Grand Prix
瓦尔特里·博塔斯选择骑自行车从雪邦前往新加坡，而不是像大多数同行那样乘坐飞机。
图片：截图来自 VALTTERIBOTTAS/INSTAGRAM
发布于 2026 年 10 月 6 日下午 6:51
更新于2026年10月6日晚上10:27
瓦尔特里·博塔斯骑行 350 公里从雪邦前往新加坡参加大奖赛，沿途与车迷分享他的旅程，并体验当地文化。
其他F1车手也已抵达新加坡，参加车迷活动、媒体活动以及赛前休闲活动。
尽管新加坡最近出现了雾霾，但主办方确认，即将举行的F1大奖赛的安全或运营不会受到任何风险。
新加坡——一级方程式赛车手瓦尔特里·博塔斯在赛道外进行了一系列疯狂而古怪的挑战，其中包括他在 2024 年在自家完成全程铁人三项（3.9 公里游泳、180.2 公里自行车骑行、42.2 公里跑步）的壮举，这一壮举在互联网上广为人知。
但他最新的壮举或许会超越那一次。
与大多数乘飞机前往新加坡参加 10 月 9 日至 11 日新加坡大奖赛的同行不同，这位凯迪拉克车手选择在马来西亚巴林大奖赛结束后，从雪邦骑行 350 公里前往新加坡。
“是的，我要骑车去新加坡……走的是人迹罕至的碎石路，”他在 Instagram 上发帖说，该帖子目前已获得 428,000 个赞。
这位37岁的选手在10月4日从雪邦马拉松赛退赛后，开始了为期三天的旅程，并在社交媒体上分享了每日行程进展。10月4日，他用了两个多小时跑完了56.6公里；10月5日，他用了5小时45分钟跑完了161.91公里。
预计他将及时抵达新加坡，参加10月8日开始的赛前媒体活动。大奖赛的首次练习赛将于10月9日举行。
10 月 5 日，博塔斯骑着自行车在马来西亚道路上的视频和照片开始流传，博塔斯本人也积极发布有关他骑行的最新消息，其中包括公路和碎石路段。
他的旅程让他与猴子不期而遇，沿着仅靠头灯照明的黑暗小径前行，还走过了马六甲标志性的鸡场街。
他还抽出时间品尝了当地美食，如鸡肉饭团和沙爹。
博塔斯是一位狂热的自行车爱好者和耐力运动爱好者，他参加了 2024 年 UCI 砾石世界锦标赛，并获得了 2026 年的参赛资格，但他不会参加本周末举行的比赛。
瓦尔特里·博塔斯在从雪邦前往新加坡的途中，特意品尝了当地美食。图片：截取自 VALTTERIBOTTAS/INSTAGRAM
瓦尔特里·博塔斯在从雪邦前往新加坡的途中，特意品尝了当地美食。
其他F1车手的新加坡之旅则没那么激动人心。他们中的大多数已经抵达狮城，有人在樟宜机场和滨海湾街道赛道附近看到了他们的身影。
10 月 6 日，哈斯车队的奥利弗·贝尔曼和威廉姆斯车队的亚历克斯·阿尔本分别率先在 ION Orchard 和 Bugis+ 购物中心与大批车迷见面。
在与赛车运动和生活方式品牌 Quadrant 联合举办的活动中，阿尔本表示，他早上在滨海湾附近跑步，还去了几家奶茶店。
他还表示，希望找到更多营业到很晚的当地餐馆。
他给出了一个寻找出租车司机的秘诀：“如果你想找出租车司机，就晚上去任何一家板式网球场。现在有个群聊正在热烈讨论。如果你晚上10点以后还开着的板式网球场，你就能找到一个或几个出租车司机。”
10月5日，梅赛德斯车手、2025年新加坡大奖赛冠军乔治·拉塞尔被拍到与伴侣卡门·蒙特罗·蒙特在螺旋桥附近悠闲漫步。这位和蔼可亲的英国人甚至停下来与粉丝聊天并合影。
威廉姆斯车队车手卡洛斯·塞恩斯被拍到在滨海湾金沙酒店的无边泳池游泳，并在麦士威熟食中心附近闲逛，寻找当地美食。
与此同时，F1 卫冕冠军兰多·诺里斯与奥迪车队的加布里埃尔·博托莱托一起打起了板式网球。
本周晚些时候，众多车手还将出席在全城举行的车迷见面会。
10 月 7 日，赛车爱好者可以从下午 5 点起在克拉码头的 Ray-Ban 眼镜品牌 Beyond The Track 快闪店见到法拉利车迷最爱的查尔斯·勒克莱尔，在怡丰城的彪马专卖店见到诺里斯，以及在圣淘沙 WEAVE 的“刺激节”上见到 Racing Bulls 车队的利亚姆·劳森和阿维德·林德布拉德。
梅赛德斯车队的基米·安东内利和拉塞尔将于10月8日亮相阿迪达斯品牌中心乌节路店。
除了将在 10 月 10 日首次参加 21 圈的冲刺赛之外，车手们本周末还将面临额外的挑战。
过去几周，这座岛屿一直笼罩在一层薄雾之中，但这并不会浇灭赛车迷和赛事组织者的热情。
新加坡全科医生协会发言人表示，如果雾霾造成能见度、公共卫生或运营方面的问题，协会将与相关机构密切合作，评估情况，然后再对赛事做出任何决定。
一位F1发言人随后在回复中表示：“这项赛事绝对没有任何风险，赛事举办地的条件也完全不令人担忧。”
Laura Chia是一位报道突发新闻和时事的记者，对体育也颇感兴趣。
新加坡大奖赛