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Sebastian Vettel with a climate protection shirt before the Grand Prix in Miami (on May 5th)
Photo: GREG NASH/EPA
Formula 1 is usually about lap times, contract poker and tactical small wars with the competition - this was shown not least by the highly popular Netflix series »Drive to Survive«.
But sometimes soft tones mix in with it.
Racing driver Sebastian Vettel, for example, feels a conflict between his job and his commitment to environmental protection.
"Driving a car is my passion and every time I get in a car I love it," said Vettel on Thursday evening in the talk show "Question Time" on the British broadcaster BBC.
»Of course, when I get out of the car, I also think: Is this something we should be doing – traveling around the world and wasting resources?«
When asked by the BBC presenter if he wasn't a hypocrite as a driver of Formula 1, "one of the most fuel-wasting sports", Vettel agreed.
"You're right about that," said the 34-year-old.
“I'm not a saint.
I'm worried about the future.
The questions about energy and the dependence on energy concern me.
We must stop depending on energy.
And we can.
There are solutions for this.«
With a view to his job as a racing driver, however, Vettel asked for understanding.
"On the other hand, we also entertain people," said the Aston Martin driver.
»During the corona pandemic, we were one of the first sports to get going again.
When everyone's heads exploded, there were Formula 1 races on TV again."
Ex-world champion on dependency on Russia
At the same time he asks himself many questions and tries to do his part to protect the environment.
"I ask myself: do I have to take a plane every time," said Vettel.
“Not if I can drive.
There are things I can control and other things that are out of my control.«
Referring to Russian gas, Vettel said Germany should have recognized the threat a long time ago.
“We shouldn't depend on it.
We need to shift into the next gear and get ready for the future," said the 2010-2013 world champion. "And we need to make sure we live on a planet that's as pleasant tomorrow as it is today."
jok/dpa