After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and before he got down to work with Mercedes at F1's post-season test, Valtteri Bottas indulged in a session of flyboarding.
The image conveys perhaps the perfect metaphor for what the Finn will need in 2019: a big dose of vertical thrust to push him upward and onward. For his future at Mercedes will depend on it.
Misfortune coupled with a performance level that was subpar to his expectations this season have left the Finn in search of some fresh motivation and energy for 2019.
"I wish I could just disappear now and go, but the fact is in three weeks I will start my holiday, so it is still three weeks of different commitments," said Bottas in Abu Dhabi.
"So I need to go through that and then I will have four weeks to reflect on the season, and gather some mental energy which was lost this year."
"I definitely feel a bit drained at the moment, and it is difficult to see many positives from the year.
"But in this you sport you definitely get to know yourself, and I know that once I have some time off, it's going to be fine.
"I'm going to be seeing the bright sides of this season, and I'm going to be full attack for next year."
