‘I think a gay Formula One driver would be welcomed’ expresses Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel showed his support with a T-shirt with the words "same love" to a helmet design displaying pride colors.

Sebastian Vettel is in a happier space in Aston Martin ahead of the 2022 season. (Image credit: Twitter)
By Niranjan Shivalkar | Jun 10, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel, a married father of three who is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community, to the point that he wore the colors of the rainbow flag to the races multiple times last season. Vettel expressed his support with everything from a T-shirt with the words “same love” to an unique helmet design that proudly displayed the pride colors, from footwear to a face mask, and he did it in countries where it was illegal.

‘A gay driver would push our sport in a better direction’

The Aston Martin’s driver honest and consistent support also took him on a gay magazine Attitude’s front cover, the first F1 driver to feature on it. According to Vettle the sport has progressed enough to accept a driver from the LGBTQ community. “Perhaps that wouldn’t have been the case in the past, but now I think a gay Formula One driver would be welcomed and rightly so.” said Vettel

I feel that a gay driver would help to speed up the elimination of prejudice and help push our sport in a better direction. Formula One is a very popular sport around the world. It relates to something that a lot of people do every day on a basic level or, even if they don’t drive themselves, they at least come across regularly driving or being driven in a car.”

Change is the only constant

“I regret to say that some members of the driving community are nonetheless very slow and static almost when it comes to progress. Yet progress is inevitable. Cars have changed and will keep changing for the better. Indeed, drivers have changed and will keep changing again for the better. So I do have hope, and therefore I would absolutely welcome a gay Formula One driver. And, as I say, I think and hope our sport will be ready for one.” expressed the German.

Read more: Vettel questions F1 for ‘wasting resources’ despite being passionate about driving

Was there a gay driver on the grid in the past ?

When asked if he knew of any homosexual people on the grid, past or current, he said, “No, but I’m pretty sure there must have been some. I guess I wouldn’t know about them because they never came out, which is a shame. I would hope there aren’t any right now, but I guess I’m not the best judge.”

“The reasons might be similar to the situation in a sport like football, for example: the old image of a player or driver as a ‘hero’ who should match a certain set of criteria. But the judging criteria are often just wrong.” opined Vettel.