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Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team during the first practice session. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Valtteri Bottas has announced that his marriage is over.

Mercedes’ Bottas confirmed his three-year marriage to fellow-Finn Emilia Pikkarainen had ended ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

On a downbeat weekend for Bottas, it was also confirmed that he will start Sunday’s season-ending race from the back of the grid after taking penalties for the installation of a new power unit.

In a statement, Bottas said his nine-year relationship with Pikkarainen was over. “Unfortunately, I have to let you know that the marriage between Emilia and myself has come to an end,” he said. “Our ways have split because of the challenges my career and the situation bring and we think this is the best for both of us and our future lives, so we are separating as friends.”