Valtteri Bottas has surprised the paddock by opposing the idea of moving the Formula 1 season finale to Imola, Italy. The Cadillac driver spoke ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, and his reasons go beyond performance or track characteristics.
Bottas highlighted two rarely discussed factors: weather and taxes. "Not a big fan because I've heard about the weather normally around that time of the year," he told the media. "The fog in the mornings, the early sunset, the temperature. I don't know if you've heard about the Italian tax? No driver wants to really race in Italy because of recent events—what happened."
That remark refers to Italian tax law, which classifies foreign athletes as freelancers, meaning teams must withhold part of drivers' salaries for tax authorities. Earlier this year, Italian tax authorities reportedly sent letters to several drivers demanding at least half of any remaining tax bill from the last seven years. This isn't the first time tax issues have surfaced in the paddock, but it's rare for a driver to openly reject racing in Italy for this reason.
Meanwhile, Formula 1 faces uncertainty ahead of the season's closing stages. The escalating conflict between the US and Iran has raised safety concerns for travel to the Middle East. F1 is scheduled to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but with tensions rising, there are discussions about cancelling races in the region. The Saudi Arabian GP was already cancelled, and the Bahrain GP was moved to Malaysia. However, FOM and the FIA are still reluctant to drop the two remaining Middle East rounds. Imola has been touted as a potential replacement, though no official confirmation has been made.
Imola itself is a historic track that recently dropped off the F1 calendar. Its return would be welcomed by many fans, but not all drivers agree. Besides Bottas, other drivers have also raised weather concerns. Europe is known for harsh winters, and holding a race near Christmas means the risk of low temperatures, fog, and even snow. With earlier sunsets, track conditions could be vastly different from usual.
Bottas made it clear he would respect F1's decision if the race goes ahead. "I think if F1 goes, then yes. I don't think Formula 1 would take that risk for everyone here. And so, yeah, if it's a go, then that's okay," he added. This shows that while he disagrees, he remains professional and prioritises collective safety.
The final decision rests with FOM and the FIA. They must weigh safety, logistics, and tradition. If Imola is chosen, drivers will face a unique challenge: a legendary track with unfriendly weather and complicated tax matters. One thing is clear: Bottas's comments have added a new dimension to the heated debate over F1's season finale.
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