From China to SA ... Valtteri Bottas escapes from F1 woes with quick stop in Cape Town

After a difficult outing at the past weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas has jetted into South Africa for a short stop in Cape Town.

Bottas, who drives for the Kick Sauber F1 team, on Monday evening shared two pictures on social media of the picturesque Cape Town sunset.

"Hello South Africa," he wrote on Instagram.

Bottas had car trouble during Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit and was forced to retire on lap 20.

A post shared by Valtteri Bottas (@valtteribottas)

READ | Star Zhou, golden oldies, prickly Horner: Chinese GP talking points

The 34-year-old has had a disappointing start to the F1 season - he sits 20th on the driver standings after five races and is yet to earn a point.

Prior to the Chinese GP, Bottas finished low down in the first four races of the season - he was 19th in Bahrain, 17th in Saudi Arabia, 14th in Australia, and also 14th in Japan.

The next stop on the F1 calendar is the Miami Grand Prix on 5 May.

A post shared by Valtteri Bottas (@valtteribottas)