Verstappen and Vettel do not want to compete in Russia 0:51
(Reuters) -
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel said on Thursday that climate change had made him question his job as a driver who travels the world to race cars.
In his speech on the BBC's Question Time program, a television panel in which politicians and famous guests mix, the German was asked if his position on the environment made him a hypocrite considering that he was part of a sport that "consumes gasoline".
"It does, it does, and you're right when you laugh," the 34-year-old father of three replied.
"There are questions that I ask myself every day and I am not a saint. Some things are in my control and others are not. It is my passion to drive a car, I love it and every time I get in the car I love it," he said.
Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel refuse to compete in Russia after Ukraine invasion
He added: "When I get out of the car, of course I also think: 'Is this something we should be doing, traveling the world, wasting resources?
The Aston Martin driver wore a t-shirt ahead of last weekend's Miami Grand Prix with the slogan "Miami 2060, First Underwater Grand Prix. Act Now or Nothing Later" to highlight the effects of climate change.
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He has also been outspoken about the environment and renewable energy, as well as human rights and LGBTQ+ issues.
Vettel's generous gesture that travels the world 0:54
Vettel said that Formula 1, which is making a big push for sustainability, also plays an important social role as entertainment.
"There are things I do because I feel I can do them better. Do I need to take a plane every time? No, when I can take the car," added the pilot, who ends his contract with his team at the end of the year.
Formula 1 aims to achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2030, with 100% sustainable fuels from 2026, when a new engine is introduced.
Vettel also gave his opinion on Brexit, the war in Ukraine, whether Finland should enter NATO, energy dependence and the involvement of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the "partygate" scandal due to non-compliance with pandemic restrictions. of covid-19.
Climate change Sebastian Vettel