F1 facing "big questions" to ensure it is "still around in years to come" - Vettel
F1 facing "big questions" to ensure it is "still around in years to come" - Vettel
Sebastian Vettel has made it clear Formula 1 faces a 'difficult future' unless it becomes a leading light for sustainability.
Last November, F1 announced plans to become carbon neutral by 2030 and to make all events "sustainable" by 2025.
Vettel, though, recently expressed his concerns for the sport, insisting it must do more to adapt to the modern world in order to still be considered relevant at the start of the next decade.
Expanding on the topic ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, the four-time F1 champion said: "Formula 1 is one of the sports that happen around the world.
"Obviously, there are world championships in many different sports but Formula 1 is held around the globe every year and in many different countries.
"I think, as a global sport, we should act responsibly and I think Formula 1 should set the examples rather than reacting to the pressure from the outside.
"So when it comes to the environment, obviously, we are driving around on the weekend in cars and burning fuel, which is probably a very small amount of the total energy or the total carbon footprint if you want to talk in CO2 terms.
"But we still need to start acting more and setting the right example, not just with our carbon footprint but also other things."
Pointing to the number of plastic bottles that go to waste across a weekend as an easy fix, Vettel suggested F1 should stop being "cheap" and taking the easy route.
The Ferrari driver added: "How we power, maybe some panels, there are solutions to that. I think we should be at the forefront of pushing developments rather than using what is there, convenient and cheap in order to make things work and easy.
"It is the pinnacle of motorsport when it comes to developing the cars but it shouldn't stop there and when you talk about the cars, there is more that can be done in order to have greater relevance for the future."
Sympathetic to the current global problems, Vettel added: "Obviously, the situation with the pandemic around the world doesn't help.
"Nevertheless, I think there are some big questions to be answered for the future to make sure this sport is still around in years to come.
"I think, where the world is going, there are big things that we need to tackle and we need to address and Formula 1 is maybe not at the forefront of this.
"Obviously, it is a sport and it is entertainment but still I think we can do better than what we are currently doing, looking after the world, the environment.
"I think there are some interesting aspects that we are trying to fulfil or achieve but I think Formula 1 has to do more and be a bit more open and tolerant otherwise I think, this is just my personal opinion, it could get difficult in the future."
Before you go...
To question my motivation is “really stupid” – Verstappen
Ricciardo has no secret answer to slow-starting Red Bull "myth"
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 team boss lends support to Alonso amid HUGE backlash
- 13 minutes ago
Mercedes driver reveals unique BENEFIT to being Verstappen’s team-mate
- 1 hour ago
Wolff WARNS Hamilton about Ferrari competitiveness
- 1 hour ago
F1 owners ‘close’ to stunning £3.5 BILLION takeover of motorsport rival
- 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Ricciardo 'ULTIMATUM' rumours addressed by Marko as bizarre F1 curse blamed for crashes
- Today 05:57
Verstappen issues CRUSHED car threat as Vettel returns for major test - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
F1 Race Calendar
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
- GP JAPAN 5 - 7 Apr
- GP CHINA 19 - 21 Apr
- GP USA 3 - 6 May
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
Related news
Vettel completes MAJOR grand prix track test ahead of comeback
F1 champion Vettel confirmed for historic track return
F1 driver set to make STUNNING return to the grid
F1 pundit reveals the 'remarkable' driver top of team wishlists for 2025
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860