Four-time Formula 1 world champion and former Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has urged the motorsports bosses to act now and do more with the goal of making sure that racing becomes sustainable in future, which he feels is the only way to ensure its own long-term survival.
The former Ferrari driver ended his Formula 1 career after the 2022 championship, following a career in the sport of almost two decades. The German left the Maranello team in 2021 and raced two more years for Aston Martin before returning from Grand Prix competition. A few days ago, Sebastian Vettel didn’t miss out on the chance to re-live that special racing feeling as he took part in the ultimate showdown in motorsports, the Race of Champions, which was held in Sweden for the second time in its history, at Pite Havsbad in Piteå, Sweden, 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
During his final seasons in Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel shifted his focus to raising awareness about environmental issues and even pointed out that he was a ‘hypocrite’ for continuing to fly around the world in order to take part in the F1 races, after his actions drew a fierce response from Canada’s minister of energy, due to Sebastian Vettel’s criticism of Canada’s exploitation of the Alberta tar sands.
For now it is not known what the ex-Ferrari man will do after ending his Formula 1 career, but it is clear that his passion for raising awareness on the sport’s environmental impact and legacy is burning brighter than ever.
“I love motorsport and I’m very mindful when it comes to the future,” Sebastian Vettel admitted in a recent interview during the Race of Champions weekend.
The cars used for this special event in Sweden during the various races included a variety of equipment from regular combustion engines, to electric-powered vehicles and those running on fossil-free biofuels.
“This event is a great event, a fun event, and we’re all having the best time. But it’s great to see that Frederik and the whole team is thinking about how to have fun in a more responsible way.” – he added.
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Sebastian Vettel praised Frederik Johnsson, President of Race of Champions for the way in which he organized the ROC weekend. “[They’re] thinking of different cars, but also everything that comes with setting up such a big event.”
At the same time, the German pointed out that motorsport bosses have to start doing more in terms of environmental sustainability to survive in the future:
“It would be a shame if one day it has to be banned, for obvious reasons. You have young drivers – I have kids as well – and I think it’s been a real privilege to have gone through motorsport the way I have. We want to continue to practice our sport. If we want to continue to practice our sport and live our passion in racing, then I think we have to think of alternatives. I think that’s important and inevitable for the future. Otherwise, we may continue the way we used to for another couple of years,” he said. “Or we’re really facing a big problem. So it’s great to see that people are thinking about it. Obviously it depends on the type of racing but there is movement,” he argued. “[But] people are thinking about it, and thinking of a better or more sustainable future.” – former Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel concluded.
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