Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas is opening up like never before about the intense mental battles that come with life in the fast lane—and he credits a changing culture in motorsports for giving him the courage to speak out.

Speaking ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, where his new Cadillac team makes its North American debut, Bottas shared that the support system for mental health in F1 has transformed dramatically since he entered the sport. "The sport has changed a lot, the world has changed a lot," he said Thursday. "There's better ways for people to communicate and share their issues. It's definitely a more welcoming environment for everyone in F1."

The Finnish driver, who teams up with Mexico's Sergio Perez for the self-proclaimed "only true American team" on the grid, recently published a deeply personal essay titled "Born Crazy" with The Players' Tribune. In it, he lays bare his struggles during his five seasons as Lewis Hamilton's teammate at Mercedes—a period that pushed him to the brink of depression.

Bottas revealed that being relegated to "wingman" duties for the seven-time world champion made him despise the sport he once loved. "First season was good," he recalled. "I started the 2018 season thinking that I was the best driver on the grid, and that I was going to win the championship." Instead, he went winless while sacrificing track position to support Hamilton's title campaigns.

Even more startling, Bottas disclosed a two-year battle with an eating disorder earlier in his career—a struggle he had kept private until now. He said he agreed to share his story to remind fans that even elite athletes face human challenges. "I think it's important to highlight that we're all humans and no one is perfect," Bottas explained. "Everyone has their struggles or their issues. Hopefully somebody can learn from other people's mistakes."

For Bottas, who joined Cadillac after leaving Mercedes, the timing felt right to speak openly. The sport's growing emphasis on mental wellness—from team support staff to driver-led initiatives—made it possible to share a story that would have been unthinkable just a decade ago. As F1 continues to evolve, Bottas hopes his honesty will inspire others to seek help and know they're not alone in their battles.