Sebastian Vettel concedes "a long road ahead" to changing LGBTQ+ attitudes

Vettel on the track walk at Bahrain — Photo: © LAT Images

Aston Martin

Vettel concedes "a long road ahead" to changing LGBTQ+ attitudes

Aston Martin has partnered with Racing Pride for Pride Month

Sam Hall

Tuesday 1 June 2021 17:02

Sebastian Vettel has backed Aston Martin's partnership with Racing Pride to promote celebrate Pride Month.

On Tuesday, Aston Martin announced it had joined forces with Racing Pride in a bid to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ diversity in a largely male-dominated sport.

Vettel has supported wider inclusivity with a one-off helmet for the Turkish Grand Prix last season that traded what was then a German flag striped across the top of the design for a prominent rainbow stripe.

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“I want to help highlight the positivity around the message of inclusion and acceptance," said Vettel.

"I congratulate the people who have pushed the discussion that has led to wider inclusion; but, equally, I’m aware that more needs to be done to change attitudes and remove much of the remaining negativity.

"It is great to see Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team giving this issue support – there is a long road ahead, but I’m really pleased we can play a positive role.”

Stroll "passionate" to create an inclusive paddock

By introducing the #WeRaceAsOne initiative last year, F1 made the steps to ensure the paddock became a more accepting and diverse environment.

Lance Stroll believes the Aston Martin-Racing Pride partnership further assist to break down the unseen barriers.

He explained: “As a racing driver and a public figure, I’m passionate about building inclusion within the motorsport world.

"I’m already involved in helping to develop a STEM programme with Cognizant for young engineering students, but this initiative is a way we can be proactive as a team in breaking down barriers and fostering positivity.

"It’s also a great way for us to support Formula One’s wider #WeRaceAsOne initiative, and I’m pleased that our team has found its own unique way to add its support to a very credible programme that’s been taken up by teams up and down the pit-lane.”