Valtteri Bottas impresses F1 rival Max Verstappen with taco skills

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Some Formula 1 drivers come to a race weekend hungry for victory.

Others, like AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda, just come hungry. And don’t bother competing in a taco eating contest with Valtteri Bottas from Mercedes.

During the press meetings on the Thursday before the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico on Sunday, 21-year-old Tsunoda was asked for his first impressions of this week’s F1 stop in Mexico City. It’s the rookie’s first trip to Mexico, and the first thing that came to mind was the kitchen.

First impressions?

“I like the food, the tacos I ate last night,” said Tsunoda. “Mainly, before I go to another country, I always look for food first, to make sure I eat good food as much as possible. And I’ve eaten some tacos so I’m happy.”

The four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel from Aston Martin then interfered: “It’s a shame that they no longer drive in Germany.”

Tsunoda added, “Schnitzel.”

Vettel shot back: “This is Austria. Schnitzel is Austria.”

Tsunoda replied, “Yes?”

Valtteri Bottas sets high standards when it comes to tacos.

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The taco king of the F1 Grand Prix paddock in Mexico goes to Bottas. When asked how many tacos he could eat, Botta’s Red Bulls looked at Max Verstappen.

“I had a couple of tacos here,” said Bottas. “They are a bit smaller than what you get in Europe. I think if I had them for breakfast, lunch and dinner – just tacos – I’d say I can 30.

Verstappen, who said he had four the night before – and said that was a lot – took Bottas’ proclamation twice.

“Oh man, if I ate that much, you could roll me around the room.”

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