Bottas says F1 drivers don't want to finish season in Italy amid tax threat
Photo: Race Pictures
Kieran is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs and feature content across the F1 calendar. An NQJ-qualified journalist with more than a decade of experience, he has previously written for publications including MailOnline, the Manchester Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press.
Valtteri Bottas has admitted Formula 1 drivers are reluctant to race in Italy amid the prospect of the 2026 season concluding at Imola.
Formula 1 has yet to confirm whether the final rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead amid the war in the Middle East. Should either event be unable to take place, Imola has emerged as a possible replacement venue.
However, Bottas is not enthusiastic about the prospect of racing at the Italian circuit in the middle of December. Alongside concerns over the weather, the Finnish driver cited the recent Italian tax issues involving F1 drivers.
It is understood that a letter has been sent that all drivers received a letter reviewing the previous seven years, and were asked to pay at least 50 per cent of the tax that had not been collected. If payment was not made, imprisonment was also raised as a possible consequence.
When asked about the possibility of racing at Imola, the Cadillac driver said: "Not a big fan because, yeah, I've heard about the the weather normally around that time of the year. The fog in the mornings, the early early sunset temperature. And, also, 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."
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In April, it was reported that the Guardia di Finanza, the Italian financial police, had launched administrative inspections into alleged tax evasion by Formula 1 teams based outside Italy.
Bottas trusts Formula 1 to make the right decision
Despite voicing his concerns over racing in Italy, Bottas said he would race there if Formula 1 decides to conclude the season at Imola.
He said: "I think if F1 one goes, then yes. I don't think Formula 1 would take the risk for all the people here. And so, yeah, if it's a go, then that's okay."
However, it is clear that he would prefer to drive in Abu Dhabi if it is still possible to do so. He said: "Well, yeah, Abu Dhabi, there's no tax. Right? I think everyone would like to race somewhere warmer. But for now, what I've heard, we're still going to Qatar in Abu Dhabi."
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