Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas says he was chased by a dog, saw snakes and leapt over a lizard as he cycled from Malaysia to Singapore for this weekend’s Grand Prix.

The Finnish driver arrived in Singapore on Wednesday after choosing a 260-mile (419km) bike ride over a flight from last weekend’s Formula 1 race in Sepang, outside the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

The 37-year-old began his journey just hours after spinning out of Sunday’s chaotic Grand Prix, taking a trip that involved off-road and gravel trails as well as cycling at night.

“I saw some snakes, which I was a little bit worried about, but actually they were pretty chill. They were just doing their thing,” said Bottas.

“I saw one cobra, one python just crossing the path in front of me. I saw some of those big lizards that you also see here, one was on the path.

“I had to jump over it on a bike because I saw it last minute. I got chased by one dog, I got stuck behind a group of cows on one small track.”

Bottas is an accomplished cyclist and earned a spot at the Gravel World Championships after finishing fifth in his age group at a qualifying event in the Czech Republic during Formula 1’s summer hiatus.

Unfortunately for Bottas the World Championships take place this weekend as well, so he will be competing on four wheels instead of two.

When the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled in 2023, Bottas decided to use the time to compete in a gravel race in Scotland.

Bottas has endured a difficult return to Formula 1 with new team Cadillac this season. He is 22nd in the drivers’ standings, is yet to score a point after 16 Grands Prix and has failed to finish eight races.

“The wildest part was the riding at night in the jungle. The noise in there, your mind starts to play games,” added Bottas.

“‘What is out there? Who knows what is out there?’ But then you just need to crack on and keep going.”

Birmingham City defender Rebecca Holloway is one of the few survivors from the squad that qualified for Euro 2022, NI’s first major tournament.

There have been a lot of changes to the squad since, but Holloway is excited for the future rather than dwelling on past achievements.

“It feels like a long time ago in a way, especially when you look at how much the squad has changed, but I think that’s also what is very exciting,” she said.

“It’s like a new generation coming through and I think it’s also important that we have some experienced players here to help those new faces. We’re excited to see what they can do and encourage them to play with confidence and freedom and do what they are good at.

“We’re slowly closing the gap on Portugal and the so-called bigger nations. They had a narrow 2-1 win over us at home in 2024 after a 4-0 away defeat, I think that shows that we are getting closer.”

McArdle’s youthful side do not have far to look for inspiration as to how to punch above their weight.

After assembling in camp on Monday, the team watched Northern Ireland’s men’s side 0-0 draw with Georgia.

That stalemate ensured Michael O’Neill’s side stayed top of their Nations League group after picking up eight points from four games without conceding a goal.

“It was brilliant watching them play with such youth and energy and the exciting football that they are playing.

“This younger generation play with no fear and I think that is what the men’s senior team are doing.

“I am hoping the young players see that and we can adopt the same attitude. I think we were all watching thinking we can’t wait to do this on Friday.”