Vettel blamed F1's technical rules and race calendar for not being as fast and innovative in many social and environmental issues.
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Formula One is on the verge of extinction in the next decade. Sebastian Vettel, the quadruple world champion, has issued a strong warning, accusing the sport of stalling its engine while the rest of the world looks to the future. The Aston Martin driver blamed F1’s technical rules and race calendar for not being as fast and innovative in many social and environmental issues in an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper.
“Financial interests should not be the top priority in planning the calendar,” said Vettel. “We shouldn’t fly east to west or north to south, but wherever is closest. Banning plastic in the stands and the paddock can also make a big difference,” the German added.
“Of course, neither would save the world, but if Formula 1 does not adapt to global developments, challenges and problems, it runs the risk of being overtaken or even disappearing in the next ten years, even if the audience is growing.”
He agrees that F1 has evolved since he first entered the sport in 2007, but believes it is still insufficient. “Time passes, but paradoxically in Formula 1 it seems to have stopped,” said Vettel.
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“Our sport is fast and progressive in many ways, like in technology and related innovations, but when it comes to ideas, we are not exactly pioneers.”
Some say Vettel has just recently been ‘woke’ to social and environmental activism, but he disputes that trophies were his primary motivation in life. “I didn’t have to change teams to learn that,” he insisted.
“I think I just got older. Even as a parent, your views and opinions change. You take responsibility and grow. Also, I’m curious by nature and open to other opinions. Change is often associated with the fear that something good will go away. So I notice that people in Formula 1 do not always see change as an opportunity for the future. Externally, Formula 1 always wants to appear open in its communication. But to be honest, I wonder about this courage internally,” the German opined.
