Sebastian Vettel says Formula 1 doesn’t have to choose between old-school spectacle and a sustainable future, arguing the sport can combine both as it looks beyond the current regulations.
The four-time World Champion made the comments at the Italian Grand Prix after driving Michael Schumacher’s title-winning 2002 Ferrari F2002, a screaming V10-powered machine, at Monza.
As a prominent environmentalist, Vettel’s values and his love of old-school racing have long seemed to sit in tension — but he suggested current advances in technology are opening up room to combine sustainability with excitement going forward.
“I think it is exciting,” Vettel said. “There’s so much more to unpack when you look at Formula 1. Of course, from a driver’s point of view I want to drive the best car and I want to win races. But then what is the best car? The car of 2002 has been the state of art car at that time and represents so much for what Formula 1 stands for.
“The cars today do the same and I think it’s about performance, precision, discipline, hard work but also responsibility and caring about the future, which these cars are trying to do.
“I’m probably not agreeing on everything that we currently have in the regulations from a driving point of view, but looking forward I think that’s where there’s a huge chance to take people on board.
“One doesn’t have to exclude the other. I think we need to find practises with everything so we are able to combine things that we love.”
Sebastian Vettel: Sustainable fuels ‘the step forward’
Vettel also pointed to sustainable fuels as a route forward for the sport, and one with relevance beyond Formula 1 itself.
“I think sustainable fuels are the step forward,” the 39-year-old said. “There’s huge potential not just for Formula 1 but also to inspire other racing series.
“If you shape the next generation of car, there’s a lot of potential to do so responsibly because some things that may be incredible from a technology point of view might not be transferable to the streets. I think there’s also a responsibility to do that.
“I look forward to what the future brings, because I think F1 has so many nice values that shaped me and inspired me in my life and touches a lot of people around the world. It has that power to do so on many other things that are meaningful and impactful.”
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