"More than backward-looking": Sebastian Vettel rumbles against Qatar's World Cup ambassador - demand for Formula 1

Created: 2022-11-20 06:09

By: Antonio Jose Riether

Before his last Grand Prix race, Sebastian Vettel sharply criticized the hosting of the World Cup in Qatar and also made demands on Formula 1.

Abu Dhabi - The last race weekend of the Formula 1 season is also the very last for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.

However, the 35-year-old Aston Martin driver did not use his last stage to put himself in the spotlight when he said goodbye, but used his media presence to point out abuses.

He was particularly harsh with Qatar's World Cup ambassador, Khalid Salman.

Sebastian Vettel calls the World Cup Ambassador's homophobic comments "outrageous"

When asked about the homophobic statements made by Khalid Salman, who, as one of the official ambassadors of the upcoming World Cup, said in a ZDF documentary that being gay was forbidden because it was mentally damaged, Vettel reacted indignantly: "That's not possible!

That is outrageous!” he said in an interview in the weekend edition of the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

"If statements like those of the World Cup ambassador are made, then we simply shouldn't go to Qatar," said Vettel.

“The saying was more than backward-looking.

The sport, the whole association should say: This is not the right place to do sport there,” said the Heppenheimer’s appeal to the German Football Association.

"Too much is too much": Sebastian Vettel calls for a binding moral code for sports associations

As the only long-term solution to the grievances at FIFA, the 298-time Formula 1 starter proposes a binding moral code.

“There it is then precisely determined what the basic political requirements must be for sport to be allowed to take place in a country.

Certain things and certain countries are simply no longer there.

Too much is too much,” said Vettel.

Formula 1 also makes Vettel responsible for a moral code.

"And then we as Formula 1 or FIFA just say no.

And don't just nod politely and take the money or help us with other benefits that the country may offer," demanded the Hessian, referring to the purchased World Cup tournaments and the silence of the associations.

Sebastian Vettel condemns the statements made by World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman.

© Lacy Perenyi/imago/Screenshot ZDF

Sebastian Vettel: No control without an external control body

According to the former Ferrari driver, the sports associations would have to be monitored by external control bodies when enforcing possible moral rules of conduct and the implementation of human rights issues.

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“Formula 1 has set itself the goal of being climate-neutral by 2030.

Nice and good.

But why not have it checked by an independent and critical body along the way?

To then live with the consequences and possible penalties, whatever they may look like?” said Vettel. 

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Before the last Formula 1 race, Sebastian Vettel addresses abuses in sport

Apparently, Vettel is concerned that the big promises of the motorsport series are only superficially mentioned and should preserve the appearance of a morally justifiable sporting event.

“What happens if Formula 1 takes a wrong turn on the way to climate neutrality and doesn’t meet its own demands?

Or FIFA on the way to more equality and diversity?

Unfortunately, at the moment it is like this: Formula 1 controls Formula 1 and FIFA controls FIFA.”

At the last Grand Prix race of his career in the United Arab Emirates, Vettel will be just 300 kilometers as the crow flies from Qatar, the World Cup venue.

Last year, Formula 1 also made a stop in the emirate after the Australian GP was cancelled, and next year there is also a Qatar Grand Prix on the racing calendar.

Because of the world championship, the race on the Losail International Circuit was not held this year, Sebastian Vettel will probably have had no objections.