Valtteri Bottas has responded to being left without an F1 seat by completing an incredible feat in his own back garden.

While some drivers are using the three-week break between Grands Prix in Brazil and Las Vegas by jetting off on holiday, relaxing on the beach and kicking their feet up, Bottas has been putting in the hard graft for no apparent reason other than to prove he can.

Grinding out a 3.8km swim in his own pool, a 180km bike ride on his own exercise bike, and a full 42.2km marathon on his own treadmill, Bottas completed an Ironman Triathlon.

The accomplishment was first documented by photographer Paul Ripke on Instagram, and then a compilation video was posted to Bottas’ official X account. Rising at the crack of dawn to get on with the challenge, Bottas first swam more than 200 lengths of his pool, which took him just over an hour.

The Finn spent the next five-and-a-half hours pedaling away, before running a marathon in just under four-and-a-half hours. Combined, Bottas spent more than 11 hours swimming, cycling and running, and burned more than 7,000 calories just a matter of days after being axed by Sauber.

Completing an Ironman in his own home may hint at Bottas trying a recognised event in the future, with his F1 career on the verge of ending.

The 35-year-old will be allowed to see out the season, but the team, which will become Audi in 2026, announced the decision to part company with both of their current drivers from the end of this year.

That spells the end for both Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, with Nico Hulkenberg drafted in from Haas and Gabriel Bartoleto promoted from F2 to complete the team’s new-look partnership.

VCARB technically have the only vacant seat on the grid, although Liam Lawson is widely expected to take it on a full-time basis and race alongside Yuki Tsunoda. Bottas’ only route back may therefore be if Red Bull axe Sergio Perez and turn his way.

After Sauber’s decision was made public, Bottas said on X: “I wanted to just take this opportunity to thank you all for all the support out there, in the past, now and in the future. And also a big thanks to the team for everything. When one door closes, another one opens. And I’m actually very excited for the future and what’s next.”