Ricciardo takes playful jab at Bottas' exposed booty!

©McLaren

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F1 drivers rarely open their private lives to full public scrutiny, but Valtteri Bottas did just that and then some in a scene depicted in this season's 'Drive to Survive', and Daniel Ricciardo didn't miss the opportunity to take a playful jab at the self-exposed Finn.

The third episode of the Netflix hit-docuseries centers on Bottas and his relentless efforts to try and undermine the dominant hegemony of his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.

As the Finn regroups to take stock of his 2020 season in the wilderness of his home country along with right-hand man Ville Ahtiainen, the pair indulge in a sauna session and dare to bare all - well, almost all - in front of the Netflix production crew's camera.

A nude sauna is hardly a shocking proposition for a Finn, or a pair of Finns, for whom a sweating session is revered for its relaxing effects and circulatory benefits.

But Bottas' bare naked bottom which is prominent in the short scene evidently caught Ricciardo's attention.

However, the Aussie took a second look and reckoned Bottas' deserved brownie points for appearing unconcealed on camera, calling it "the birth of Bottass"!

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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.