Sport Hamilton reflects on F1 toll as Bottas announces marital split

© Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images MONZA, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP arrives at the circuit with wife Emilia before practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on August 31, 2018 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton reflected on the cost of chasing Formula One success and the high personal toll exacted by the sport after Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas announced on Thursday he was getting divorced.

Bottas, 30, had earlier announced in a twitter post his split from wife Emilia, an Olympic swimmer, because of the challenges that came with his "career and life situation."

Ferrari 'happy' Hamilton could be available

Mattia Binotto has suggested that Lewis Hamilton's potential availability on the F1 transfer market for 2021 "can make us only happy".Like the majority of the sport's leading drivers, Mercedes star Hamilton's current contract runs out at the end of 2020 - the final season before 'New F1' in 2021 when cars designs, budget rules and sporting regulations are being overhauled.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas pose with the staff during a team photo ah. Formula One F 1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - November 28, 2019.

split | Sky Australia Photos Lewis Hamilton reflected on the cost of chasing Formula One success and the high personal toll exacted by the sport after Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas announced on Valtteri Bottas Explains 2019 Mercedes F 1 Steering Wheel - Продолжительность: 4:32

© Reuters/AMANDA PEROBELLI Formula One F1 - Brazilian Grand Prix

"I think it’s probably similar to most sportsmen and women really," Hamilton told reporters at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"It may be slightly different in that we are travelling as much as we are, and you are just away for crazy amounts of time, so that’s probably an additional weight load that makes it really, really tough to hold down a good relationship."

© Reuters/RICARDO MORAES Formula One F1 - Brazilian Grand Prix

The 34-year-old Briton, who is not married, last month became only the second Formula One driver to win a sixth world championship.

Formula One visits 21 countries, with the calendar expanding to a record 22 events next year.

Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s former team mate, has spoken of how much his family suffered as he focussed single-mindedly on beating the Briton to the 2016 title.

Ricciardo's 'exasperating' race explained

Daniel Ricciardo and Renault endured another frustrating race at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.The world championship was already in the bag but Lewis Hamilton signed off 2019 with a convincing win in Abu Dhabi, although there was perhaps more interest in Hamilton's off-track moves this weekend with speculation over his future with Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton reflected on the cost of chasing Formula One success and the high personal toll exacted by the sport after Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas announced , on Thursday, he was getting divorced. Bottas , 30, had earlier announced in a Twitter post his split from wife Emilia, an

Bottas blossomed at the Silver Arrows in 2017, unleashing his pace to clock up personal pole positions and victories as well as a team championship for the famous Mercedes marque alongside Lewis Hamilton . He even tied with Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel with 13 podiums.

Hamilton acknowledged some drivers, like Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel who delayed his arrival into Abu Dhabi because of the birth of his third child, had found a life balance but he admitted it was something he found hard.

"There are many athletes who have generally happy lives in the background," he said.

"But I for one also find that incredibly difficult, with your goal to be as competitive as you can be, ultimately you want to be 100% committed because you never want to be any less committed than the person next to you.

"And there are certain things that are also added on responsibilities or extra load bearings that you can take away from that. There’s only a certain amount of you as a whole that you can give to everything."

Bottas, who is set to start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid due to engine-related penalties, is sure of second place in the championship in his best season to date. The Finn has won four races to Hamilton’s 10.

Ferrari star's huge call over Hamilton

Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would be welcomed at Ferrari if he left Mercedes, says Charles Leclerc.Hamilton's next move was the subject of intense speculation at the final round of the campaign in Abu Dhabi after Ferrari admitted for the first time that they want to sign the Englishman.

marital split | Sky Australia Photos Lewis Hamilton reflected on the cost of chasing Formula One success and the high personal toll exacted by the sport after Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas koki jo rajun takaiskun – nyt myös Lewis Hamiltonilla yskii: ”Jotain siellä on piel.

Valtteri Bottas beats Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to pole position by the tiniest of margins at the British Grand Prix. By Andrew BensonChief F 1 writer at Silverstone.

"I have lots of things I can do better in my life and in my career," said Bottas, when asked how he planned to beat Hamilton in 2020. "My plan is to be the best version of me next year."

Pictures: Formula One champions over the years