Bottas said he began starving himself after his rookie season at Williams in 2013 when the team suggested he lose five kilos. He ate only steamed broccoli and cauliflower for almost every meal, and his body entered starvation mode, often waking him up at 4 a.m. He secretly doubled his training sessions, removing his GPS watch to deceive his coach. Comparing his mindset to that of a drug addict, he recalled feeling delusional and convinced he had never felt better. The extreme regimen took a severe toll on his well-being. The disordered eating persisted for approximately two years.
In his Players' Tribune essay 'Born Crazy', Bottas detailed these struggles and his complex relationship with being a wingman. He noted that mental health support in motorsports has seen vast improvements, emphasizing that both the sport and the world have evolved. Despite harboring difficult feelings about the role, he stressed he holds no animosity toward Mercedes. The assignment brought him close to quitting F1, particularly after a 2018 season in which he believed he was the best driver but failed to win a race and frequently sacrificed track position for Hamilton. He acknowledged that the role forced him to despise F1 at times.
Bottas began his F1 career with Williams in 2013. He partnered Hamilton at Mercedes for five seasons from 2017 to 2021, securing 10 race wins. He then drove for Alfa Romeo/Sauber from 2022 to 2024. He is now set to return to the grid with Cadillac in 2026, after the team opted for a different lineup. It is not known what specific treatment Bottas received for his eating disorder and depression. He indicated he had access to the right tools and support. The details of his evolving relationship with Hamilton and Mercedes remain private. Bottas expressed hope that his story can assist others, saying that recognizing one's mistakes is a crucial part of life. His candid admissions shed light on the intense physical and mental pressures drivers endure.