Vettel attacks Italy President: "He is about 100 years old"

Created: 09/15/2022, 06:11

By: Stefan Schmid

Sebastian Vettel had to end the race in Monza early due to a technical defect, but a completely different issue got the Heppenheimer crazy.

Monza – Already in the eleventh lap Sebastian Vettel was over at the Italian Grand Prix, problems with the energy recovery system are said to have been the reason for the dark smoke from the Aston Martin.

An event that quickly faded into the background for the Heppenheimer after the race.

The environmentally harmful overflight of the "Frecce Tricolori" squadron annoyed Vettel and so the alleged person responsible for the action, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, got his fat off just like those responsible for Formula 1.

Vettel: "It's difficult for him to let go of this kind of ego thing"

For years, the overflight of a flight squadron was part of the good manners in Formula 1 races, but this type of entertainment was actually banned by those responsible for the racing series at the beginning of 2022.

But only actually, because planes swept over the track not only in Monza before take-off, but also before that at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg.

Vettel, who is always committed to environmental issues, has of course registered and confirmed that "we were promised that the overflights would stop."

Even during the handshake with Sergio Mattarella, Sebastian Vettel didn't look particularly impressed.

© IMAGO/Alessio Morgese

The German driver quickly identified the culprit for the overflight of the traditional squadron in Monza.

"I heard that the President of Italy [...] insisted on making the overflight," Vettel reported, who immediately lashed out at Sergio Mattarella.

"He's about 100 years old, so it's difficult for him to let go of that kind of ego thing," Vettel said, expressing his irritation at Mattarella, who, by the way, is only 81.

Vettel accuses Formula 1 of hypocrisy

So how is it that the flight inserts that are actually forbidden can be seen again and again?

In the case of Monza, Vettel insinuates a lack of steadfastness and indirectly hypocritical behavior in Formula 1's leadership: "It seems that the President simply has to change his mind and Formula 1 gives in, despite the signs on the track that speak of specific goals if it's about making the world a better place.” The signs on the track that Vettel alludes to are about sustainable drives and clean motorsport.

Goals that, in Vettel's eyes, are trampled on with an air show that is only nice to look at.

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Vettel, who clinched his first Grand Prix win at Monza in 2008, is a fan of the Italian Grand Prix aside from the overflights.

Asked whether he hopes that the race in Monza will remain on the racing calendar, he replied forgivingly, "Yes, I hope so." the race in northern Italy.