Monday 16 May 2022

Sebastian Vettel on climate change: “I’m not a saint”

Former Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel has become a well-renowned voice in discussions on climate change in recent years – and his feelings towards the planet seem to have led to guilt for his main passion; the track.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Vettel responded to critics claiming his involvement in a sport that lives and breathes petrol was hypocritical when preaching on sustainability.

“You're right when you laugh,” the four-time champion explained.

“There’s questions I ask myself every day and I'm not a saint. Certain things are in my control and certain things are not. It's my passion to drive a car, I love it and every time I step in the car, I love it.

“When I get out of the car, of course I'm thinking as well is this something that we should do, travel the world, wasting resources?”

A promoter of environmental protection and the use of renewable energy, he revealed that Formula One’s desire to reach net zero by 2030 and use entirely sustainable fuels from 2026 filled him with confidence but that there is also more he can do to be more climate conscious.

“There’s things that I do because I feel I can do them better. Do I need to take a plane every time? No, not when I can take the car,” he said.