Bottas lights up South Korea with smoke, speed and style

©Mercedes

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©Mercedes

Valtteri Bottas brought the thunder back to South Korea last weekend as he lit up the AMG Speedway in Yongin, thrilling 25,000 fans with an F1 demo run in Mercedes’ W13.

Headlining the Peaches Run Universe 2025 event, the 10-time Grand Prix winner turned the 4.5 km circuit into his personal playground – carving through corners, lighting up the tarmac, and finishing with a cloud of tyre smoke from a dazzling display of doughnuts that sent the crowd into raptures.

“It has been brilliant to bring F1 back to South Korea for the first time in 12 years,” Bottas said afterward. “I remember the passion of the fans from when I raced here back in 2013, but if anything, that fandom has grown since then.

“The fans were knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and it was such an honour to have so many people here to enjoy the day.”

©Mercedes

Beyond the track action, fans got to jump behind the wheel themselves on Mercedes simulators, explore race memorabilia, and celebrate the long-awaited return of Formula 1 energy to the Korean motorsport scene.

For Bottas, now Mercedes’ reserve driver, the electrifying run was more than just a show – it was a timely warm-up for his upcoming switch to Cadillac in 2026, when he’ll return to the grid ready to chase fresh glory with a new team.

Under the Yongin sun, with cheers echoing around the grandstands, the Finn proved once again that even outside the championship fight, few drivers can make an F1 car dance quite like Valtteri Bottas.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.