Bottas may start investing in own circuit
- GPblog.com
Valtteri Bottas may join in the purchase of the circuit the Kymi Ring in his home country of Finland. The circuit is up for sale, and Bottas has confirmed he is in talks to take over the track with other investors.
The Kymi Ring, a track in southern Finland. The track was opened in 2019 with the aim of being included in the MotoGP championship, but it never got that far. The first race at the circuit was supposed to be held in 2020, but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic was also the reason the race was not held in 2021. In 2022, the race was cancelled again due to reparations and "geopolitical tensions in the region", a reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and threatening language from the Kremlin to other neighbouring countries.
Because a race never took place at the circuit, the organisation found itself in dire financial straits. This eventually led to the circuit being declared bankrupt last year. Several entrepreneurs and investors are now interested in possibly buying the circuit, including Bottas.
Bottas in list of possible investors
Speaking to Finnish medium IS, the Alfa Romeo driver said he is still considering his options. "I have discussed with potential buyer candidates about investing in the Kymi Ring," Bottas explained. "It is therefore possible that I would join. However, I now first need further clarification on where exactly we are going. I think it is still possible to make KymiRing to a working concept. Hopefully, in any case, a solution will be found soon. It would be a shame if someone didn't run the track."
Although the circuit was intended for MotoGP, Kymi Ring holds a Grade 1 FIA licence. This means that, in theory, the circuit can also be used for Formula 1 races.