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."
Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…
The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…
The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races…
Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren’s team orders—dubbed the "Papaya Rules"—have been largely relaxed, giving…
The forever young Jacques Laffite turns 81 today, but the years haven't aged this pure…
The neon lights of Las Vegas are set to illuminate the Formula 1 world once…