The notion that sport and politics shouldn’t mix was always unrealistic at best.
It’s easy to forget how regularly that idea was once expressed. In the space of a few years it has come to seem positively archaic. We have grown used to seeing Formula 1 drivers speaking out on a range of issues: diversity, racism, climate change and human rights to name a few.
Among this new generation of drivers who understand real political matters, not just those of F1’s paddock bubble, Sebastian Vettel has always been among the most outspoken, thoughtful and well-informed. He demonstrated that in his appearance on BBC political discussion show Question Time on Thursday night.
The long-running political programme airs on the most-watched television programme in Britain. The Aston Martin driver’s appearance on it was a coup not just for Question Time, but Formula 1 as well. Vettel was at his charming and intelligent best, demonstrating his grasp of a range of subjects far beyond his regular business of tyre pressures, ride heights and everything else which makes a racing car go quickly.
What would have been an impressive enough appearance had it been made by of F1’s British quartet was all the more so coming from someone who is neither a native English speaker nor steeped in the political culture of the United Kingdom. Here’s what the four-time world champion had to say.
Rising cost of living
Rocketing energy costs, in particular as a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was the first talking point tackled by the panel. Vettel brought his insight of the same discussions in his homeland, which is especially dependent on Russian gas, and made the case that his country should have weaned itself off polluting, Russian-source power much earlier.
“There’s exactly the same debate and the same questions, they are very fair, being asked in Germany,” he said. “Certainly the latest developments with the…