“It’s only a matter of time, [time] that we don’t have.” Those were the words of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel as he announced his retirement at the Hungarian Grand Prix, citing environmental concerns directly linked with Formula One and adding he wanted the chance to watch his family grow up.
The four-times world champion, alongside Lewis Hamilton, has been integral in changing the landscape of motorsport in ways beyond their successes. Both have spoken out passionately about the need for prompt action to address climate change and improve diversity, inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights.
Vettel was branded a ‘hypocrite’ by those who claimed a Formula 1 driver has no business criticising others on environmental grounds. He pushed back during his retirement announcement, saying: “When it comes to the climate crisis there is no way that Formula 1, or any sport or business can avoid it because it impacts on all of us.” He even drove Nigel Mansell’s 1992 Formula 1 championship-winning car at Silverstone using carbon-neutral fuel, claiming this showed how easy switching to sustainable substances would be.
But Vettel’s impending departure – and the expectation Hamilton, two years his senior, does not have many more years left in him – has prompted questions about who would continue to raise awareness for such causes in F1 after they are gone. In 2019, F1 committed to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2030 as part of a wider sustainability strategy, which is one example of the progress Hamilton and Vettel have pushed for.
Hamilton has put his money and time to help change the landscape of F1 and make it more diverse through his Hamilton Commission. At the first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Vettel took a group of women go-karting, throwing the spotlight on rights which were only belatedly granted to the country’s female population recently. Who will do this kind of thing, and put pressure on those at the top to make change happen, after these two champions are gone?
Both drivers began their careers during the Bernie Ecclestone era. The 91-year-old former F1 CEO’s recent remarks on race and politics (some of which he later retracted) left much to be desired, and given that it’s not hard to imagine that under his watch some could have felt reluctant to speak out.
As things stand, once Vettel leaves the majority of drivers on the…
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