Sebastian Vettel interview for faz.net:
“An amount of 10% of biofuel will only become mandatory in F1 from 2022. As things stand today, it will only rise to 30% with the new engine regulations. That would be from 2025/2026 at the earliest. I find that very very disappointing. Because by 2025 there will surely be fuel stations for everyone that sell fuel from 100% renewable energies. Where is F1’s pioneering role in the field of technology?”
“The only thing that is transferred is the brand message, because the hybrid engine is considered much more positive for the environmental balance than the normal combustion engine. The disappointing thing is that we are not taking our chance.”
“We have the most efficient internal combustion engine in the world but it is of no use to the world, because the way we use it will never find its way into series production. F1 could be a pioneer in technology again after a long time. I think it is precisely this pioneering role that can ensure the survival of our sport. I mean the decision to race with 10% biofuel in 2022 is not an innovation. Why is F1 so behind? There is a great opportunity to authentically secure its existence. But that is being ignored..”
Maybe because of the high development costs?
Vettel: “F1 has always cost a lot of money. And competition and ambition have always opened up enough wallets so far..F1 should channel its competitive spirit, ambition, knowledge, development speed in such a way that relevant technologies are developed for everyone. For example, that synthetic fuels can also be bought at the fuel station at a reasonable price.”
Do politics play a role because nobody wants to give up their advantage?
Vettel: “That seems to be the case. The seriousness of the situation is not understood. I find that frustrating. We know better, yet we don’t do it. This is how we seal our disappearance into irrelevance.”
“We [F1] are first and foremost an entertainment company. But there are things that no longer fit into our time. As a global sport, we have an appropriate platform to present exemplary accents worldwide and to convey a message. Individual strategies of racing teams, one wants to produce the best battery, the other the best hybrid, are of little use to us. F1 needs an overall strategy. I think we have ignored the topic of environmental technology as a development area for too long.”
“In some races, fighter jets fly over the finishing straight, an empty commercial aircraft fly over the starting grid. Some sponsors use it for advertising, some countries perhaps to demonstrate their power. I think it’s outdated and a pointless waste of resources. Completely absurd that it was done during a pandemic season, with no spectators in the stands. If we open our eyes and develop our awareness, we will find many things that are unnecessary. Why shouldn’t F1 lead the way? A signal for other sports. An opportunity again.”
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