Sebastian Vettel has been loud and clear about his love for the environment and the importance of protecting it. As a Formula 1 driver, he rightfully uses the platform he has to do his bit for what he is passionate about. Yet, the nay-sayers find their way through. Interestingly, Vettel agrees with them to a certain extent. As level-headed as ever, Vettel explains the path he’s on.

Sitting down with The Race, Vettel shared his thoughts on the criticism he receives for fighting for the environment while being an F1 driver- which isn’t the most eco-friendly career path. “It’s valid because F1 is not green. We live in a time when we have innovations and possibilities to arguably make F1 green as well and not lose any of the spectacle, speed, challenge, passion.”

Vettel also illustrated how the developed engines are useless. “It’s not going to be an engine formula that’s going to be on the road and which is going to be in your car when you decide to buy a new car.” While F1 technology has set the cornerstone for many road-car manufacturers, Vettel observes it is unlikely to happen with the new regulations.

“Therefore, what is the relevance?” he asked. The German acknowledged that although there are talks of recent formula positively changing other sectors, it would be good; but he doesn’t fully suppose so.

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“If they don’t come I’m not optimistic. I think F1 will disappear if they don’t come–and probably rightly so. Because we are at the stage where we know we’ve made mistakes and we have no time to keep doing mistakes.”

Sebastian Vettel talks solutions

On a similar tangent, Vettel explains what he believes can be changed to make the situation better. Well-read about the technical aspects that could help make a ripple, Vettel shared his ideas.

“If you look at mobility we could find a solution. We have more than 1 billion cars in the world fueled with fossil fuels every day… Finding a real alternative for them will have to be one of the solutions for the future other than electrifying cars of finding hydrogen power trains or maybe something else…”

The four-time champion still hopes F1 can help with the process. “I think F1 should be introducing synthetic fuels as soon as possible even if some of the regs are already done… there is something much, much larger at stake and we could use our resources- intelligence of F1, all the clever people facilities and money.”

Regardless of the solution, Vettel ended his discussion with a firm statement. “I don’t know what the best solution is but we have to be doing it now rather than discussing it for the next five years.”

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