F1 News
The shocking price Bottas paid for the drivers dinner in Abu Dhabi
Valtteri Bottas has revealed the price of the 2024 drives dinner in the paddock. After Lewis Hamilton picked up the cheque last year, it was his turn to treat his competitors in Abu Dhabi. The actual cost of the dinner might not be as expensive as you'd first think.
Bottas was asked in the paddock if he'd paid for the driver's meal, which he confirmed. According to Bottas, the dinner set him back around '20 thousand local money,' which converts to just over £5,000. Expensive, of course, but maybe not as costly as you were thinking for almost the entire F1 grid to dine out in a nice restaurant.
Dinner drama:
It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows at the meal. George Russell and Max Verstappen's public spat continued in the restaurant's privacy. According to BBC Sport, Russell was the last to turn up, and both remaining seats were next to Verstappen. The Dutchman said, "Hi, George," and suggested he sit there. Russell said hello back, took a seat, and moved away to sit next to team-mate Lewis Hamilton. The situation is still unfolding, with team bosses Christian Horner and Toto Wolff throwing insults back and forth at each other.
Bottas, as always, is shrouded in much less drama. The Finn has not scored a point this season in what has been his only pointless season since joining the F1 grid in 2013. The 10-time Grand Prix winner will be hopeful for a good final race heading into the season's final race at the Yas Marina Circuit, especially after Sauber teammate Zhou Guanyu finished in eighth in an improved car last week in Qatar. The former Mercedes driver is yet to announce his plans for 2025, as an all-fresh lineup will take his place in the shape of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto at the team which will become Audi in 2026.
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