Four-times Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel says he regrets not being more vocal about equality, climate change and other social issues which concern him earlier in his career.
Vettel raced in F1 between 2007 and 2022. Over his final two seasons he became more outspoken on issues such as the under-representation of women in motor racing, gay rights and the environment.After winning his four world championships with Red Bull, Vettel spent six years at Ferrari before ending his career at Aston Martin. Over his final two years in F1 Vettel drew attention to the issues which concerned him through his choices of helmet designs and apparel.
He admitted it “wasn’t the plan” to begin advocating different causes. “When I started as a rookie, I was solely focused on racing and it was the only thing that was occupying my day, really,” Vettel told the BBC.
“Since then [I’ve been] trying to spread messages that are important to me.”
In 2021, when F1 first visited Saudi Arabia, Vettel ran an all-female karting event in Jeddah. Women in Saudi Arabia face strict limits on their rights and require the permission of men to do many things. The government did not permit them to hold driving licences until 2018.
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Vettel is working on another project in Saudi Arabia. “I’ve been there in 2021 launching the ‘Race for Women’ event which was mostly about taking young girls and women to the track and giving them a glimpse of racing in go-karts and we had a fun day and that’s the story we’re trying to continue to tell.
He said he is keen to see more women get into motorsport. “When I did go-karts in Europe I raced girls but it was very rare,” he explained. “The more girls we have participating and less of these stereotypes that girls can’t race, I think it’s positive, it’s good evolution.
“It is important in Europe but it’s even more important I think in a place like Saudi where you can feel things are opening up, maybe not with the speed we all wish or some people expect but there are steps. It’s great to see these girls get a chance to get behind the wheel.
“It’s about spreading the message and keeping planting the seeds, inspire those girls and young women. But inspiring people around the world as well with the platform that I have.”
Now in the third year of his retirement from F1, Vettel said he’s keen to see his former championship rival Lewis Hamilton succeed at Ferrari. Vettel was unable to win a title at the Scuderia, which he admitted was partly “because Lewis was there” at Mercedes.
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“Let’s see now how he will get on. But my fingers are crossed, obviously, I’ve raced him a long time, we get along really well, and he’s by far the most outspoken driver on the grid at the minute.
“His on-track skills don’t need to be repeated, I think the numbers and statistics speak for themselves. But it’s great to see that he’s still on the grid and he still has that influence and uses it in a positive manner. So naturally my fingers are crossed for him to win the championship.
“But also Charles [Leclerc] is there, I raced with him, so I think it’s a strong line-up. In the end it takes a lot of things to come together, to be there in the last couple of races to fight for the championship.”
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Jere (@jerejj)
26th March 2025, 8:45
He was an upcoming driver at first, & usually, drivers start to become more vocal about both on & off-track matters only later on in their professional careers, so nothing different in his situation, & as much as my fingers are also crossed for Lewis to win the championship, his proper chance to win the WDC for a record-breaking eight-time might have to wait until next season with considerable technical regulation changes.
MurasamaRA300 (@murasamara300)
26th March 2025, 9:23
As I’ve mentioned before … male motorsport fans obviously need a good push into sports such as equestrian dressage, figure skating and netball.
I feel joyous about the climate this morning, because I sorted half a lemon into the plastic recycling bucket that The Council bought with a truckload of taxpayer money.
Mr A
26th March 2025, 10:28
Imagine being like this.
MurasamaRA300 (@murasamara300)
26th March 2025, 10:47
And a very good morning to you too.
(Satire is increasingly difficult nowadays.)
G (@unklegsif)
26th March 2025, 11:04
What I find surprising is how some people expect satire, even in its most obvious form, to be properly communicated across the written word… especially on internet forums and comments sections
AlanD
27th March 2025, 23:01
What I find even more surprising is how any people think htey are comedians.
pSynrg (@psynrg)
26th March 2025, 12:54
You clearly don’t understand the concept of satire. Alas, even if you did, you would be terrible at it. So, perhaps accept your shortfalls, not everyone is cut out to be an effective satirist, and use your energy for something where you can make a positive contribution.
MurasamaRA300 (@murasamara300)
26th March 2025, 15:25
And a very good morning to you as well. :)
What exactly is a “positive contribution” then?
You provided zero concrete examples in your reply.
I would like to see a couple of suggestions that would work for a (comparatively & financially) poor guy who does not own a car, hardly travels anywhere and never on aeroplanes.
What more could I do for the climate … except what I’m already doing?
(=walking everywhere, living as cheaply as is possible in rent ripoff UK, buying local etc.)
I’m listening… have a go at it. :)
SteveP
26th March 2025, 19:50
Especially so when the first two sports mentioned are already have a pretty even representation by both sexes.
The second sentence was a much better offering, so it’s not an abject fail, you do get a 5/10 :)
MurasamaRA300 (@murasamara300)
26th March 2025, 21:04
Thank you very much.
5/10 … yes, I guess that was kind of expected.
My satirical skills may not quite have reached Lance Stroll race level yet. (I often rate him around 6/10.)
But – I’ll take it! :)
baasbas
26th March 2025, 12:30
@murasamara300
That implies you only ate half. Are you sure?
:-)
MurasamaRA300 (@murasamara300)
26th March 2025, 12:51
Yes I still have the other half. :)
(Have to be extra frugal these days.)
DMC
26th March 2025, 17:26
well I thought it was funny, but wait your not allowed to think such thing nowadays
MurasamaRA300 (@murasamara300)
26th March 2025, 19:59
Cheers! :)
I was merely pointing out the double standards (albeit poorly).
Lewisham Milton
26th March 2025, 9:25
Nothing from Horner yet, refusing to rule out a comeback…
bernasaurus (@bernasaurus)
26th March 2025, 9:38
That Would Be Amazing! Seb would have nothing to lose, he could just do it for 20 odd races for the fun of it. It’ll never happen, but it’d be fun. I’m sure Max wouldn’t mind.
Ferdi
26th March 2025, 10:49
That would be terrible. He wasn’t much at his stints at Ferrari and Aston. Imagine how bad he would be now. No, Vettel best stay away. He got very lucky in his career. Together with Hamilton the both lucked into unprecedented dominance streaks from their car and a snoozing regulatory body. Both their tally is heavily distorted by this, in their favour. Best to do is to be quiet about that and move on.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
26th March 2025, 18:45
Yeh Lewis almost winning in his Rookie season was lucky also. Fangio too, got the best car. Prost won most of his in the best car and Senna too. All of them had distorted numbers of WDC’s based on their luck at getting and extracting the most from the best cars.
Ferdi
27th March 2025, 6:58
Talking nr of titles here, not whether they are WDC material, which they clearly are.
Jere (@jerejj)
26th March 2025, 20:23
Lewisham Milton I like your sense of humor.
pcxmac (@pcxmac)
26th March 2025, 9:39
Vettel sounds like he has a guilty conscious. The only thing is there are so many powerful people that are gay, I don’t really care about the issue at all. Why do people have to care about things that don’t matter ? Maybe that’s the real point.
bernasaurus (@bernasaurus)
26th March 2025, 9:51
I’m happy to speak on behalf of everyone when they say they’re grateful you don’t care.
Dex
26th March 2025, 9:58
I’m writing this before even knowing what you replied to, because this is a matter of principle. You can never speak on behalf of everyone. This is the bare minimum of modesty everyone should possess. Your own voice should be enough, don’t you think?
bernasaurus (@bernasaurus)
26th March 2025, 10:26
Yeah, fair enough. It was a snarky comment. I shouldn’t have posted it. It didn’t help the discourse. and of course, I can’t and nobody can ‘speak on the behalf of everyone’.
T
26th March 2025, 13:01
what a lovely and mature conversation you two just had!
Dex
26th March 2025, 9:53
The thing is, he started promoting certain ideas when they became mainstream in the media. That’s not very hard to do. Not a single driver would publicly go against any popular ideas (maybe Verstappen a little, but that’s mostly racing-oriented).
I don’t say that they have to or should, but that’s bravery, not waving rainbow flags in 2020’s. It’s great if he does so purely out of conviction, but of course many of us are skeptical.
It doesn’t feel great being a cynic, but the world made me so, especially where social media is involved. On the other hand, Vettel probably needed a purpose with hid career ending and all, and I do believe he’s a good guy. It would just be more meaningful if Fangio did this…
An Sionnach
26th March 2025, 10:37
“I support the popular movement”?
I’m repeating myself, but I think it’s important to consider the environment as one of many policies. The last time I mentioned that here it seemed few were wise to the fact that being vulnerable to the China-Russia-Iran axis on energy and arms risked inviting a world where powers who don’t care a jot for the environment, or the rights of anyone, will be running the show.
On my own comment above, I appreciate Queen Elizabeth II’s approach to politics more and more as I get older. It can be hard to avoid becoming a parody figure like Bono who goes around pontificating to all and sundry. One thing that gets my goat on my little island is that many of the modern pontificators take issue with the ecclesiastical variety. It’s as though lecturing others is only right when they’re doing it…
Anyway, down with An Sionnach and his sermons!
An Sionnach
26th March 2025, 13:18
I haven’t looked too much at Vettel’s activities. He’s charismatic and can come across well. He’s done some demonstrations of older cars on synthetic fuel. Whatever your view is on such fuels, he’s promoting them in a positive and fun way. One thing I thought he got wrong was his criticism of the Italian president and suggesting that his wrongness was to do with his age. It’s easy to fall into the trap of discriminating and fairness is important. Some animals cannot be more equal than others. If he has realised his mistake and apologised, then that’s good. We all make mistakes and need to resist tribalistic urges, no matter which group of “the chosen” you feel you belong to. We could do with less partisanship and more understanding in the world.
SteveP
26th March 2025, 20:27
Pretty close to the central tenet of quite few religions – sadly it’s also something virtually every single one of their supporters fail to put into practice, some being more equal manage to fail even more.
I have a belief system, simply put, (and this should keep you all happy) what I believe is no concern of yours and I don’t intend to do anything to make it your concern by pushing it at you – unlike those religious bods.
El Pollo Loco
28th March 2025, 4:28
Well said.
asz
26th March 2025, 10:49
Indeed, it is heart-warming to see famous people supporting good causes provided
– the good cause is fashionable, and
– the famous person has already achieved all their professional and financial aims in life (in the pursuit of which their newly-found conscience would have hindered them back then)
Coventry Climax
26th March 2025, 11:02
Isn’t that quite similar to ‘speak on behalf of everyone’? Or at least very suggestive and speculative?
I’ve never liked Vettel during his racing days, but I have zero doubts about him being genuine in the matters discussed in the article. There’s absolutely nothing, zilch, for him to gain by not being true about it.
And who was it again that talked about matters of principle?
You can save yourself by having a good look at @bernasaurus ‘ reply that starts with ‘Fair enough’ and then replicate that stance.
MurasamaRA300 (@murasamara300)
26th March 2025, 11:59
I’m also skeptical, so that makes two skeptics at least.
Particularly skeptical when it comes to my own possibilities of doing anything re. the climate.
Last time I travelled more than 50 miles was in 2018 – on a train which would have left the station whether I was on it or not. I never go on aeroplanes and I don’t own a car.
So I fail to see what more a regular Joe like me can do about the alleged climate issues that are being pushed day in day out through most media outlets.
Vettel is a nice guy and being a nice guy, he wants to do something good. I get that.
I don’t have a beef with him. He earned his resources fair & square and is free to use them whichever way he feels is right.
But then we have a bunch of virtue-signalling “world leaders” (who, unlike Vettel, are not using their own earned resources, but instead are supported by taxpayer money plus all sorts of dirty “donations”).
These “world leaders” have just ordered a new motorway to be built straight through the Amazonas rain forest – for the next COP30 Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil.
I would have thought the rain forest might be a protected.
But – apparently not when the political class and their donors come barging in.
One rule for thee!
Thus my small attempt at satire earlier in this thread.
Coventry Climax
26th March 2025, 12:45
I completely get what you’re saying.
But that brings us back to Vettel and then what we can do.
I’d say that talking about those things, not just climate but rights as well – even if they do come pretty close together, maybe is the only and small thing we can do, but then again any worldwide movement has always started with one person only. There’s one in particular, dating some 2025 years back, that involves a considerable amount of fairy tales about having children without doing the deed, mysterious resurrections, walking on water, turning water into wine and many others, that has succeeded in becoming quite mainstream. People still believe that, but forget the parts where it says turn the other cheek and/or love thy neighbours and such.
I’m fine with people believing things – to a certain extent:
Most astounding to me, remains how those who claim to be the most fervent believers of this, at the same time have zero reservations to permanently demolish their deity’s little garden and the approx. 9 million other species (totalling incredible numbers of lives/souls) inhabiting it, because they say there’s no actual proof that we do so. Well, actually there is, but they choose to ignore and not believe that.
SteveP
26th March 2025, 20:56
Me too, but a lot of them seem to run out of belief when others of us are clearing ditches in community woodland on a frost January morning.
Or stile building. Maybe tree planting, if the weather is nice and someone else already dug some holes.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
26th March 2025, 16:11
@murasamara300 Vettel was in a BBC Question Time four years ago. He ran circles round the politicians on the show, despite clearly having done relatively little in the way of debate preparation – simply because he was less hypocritical and more humble about his approach. (I don’t think it does much to answer the rest of your post but I thought you’d find it – or the reminder of it – amusing).
MurasamaRA300 (@murasamara300)
26th March 2025, 18:27
I don’t doubt that for a second, and yes it is amusing.
I might look up the Question Time clip.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
26th March 2025, 16:09
You say that, as if Liberty didn’t get into trouble in the 2020s for using rainbow promotion (because it managed to do it in a way that looked like it was co-opting a then-current campaign to support NHS workers, and because it also made clear its support of LGBT+ people didn’t go beyond spending money on a marketing campaign mostly involving co-opting the use of drivers who actually cared about these topics instead of engaging with them itself).
F1 isn’t yet at a stage where such “obvious” things as rainbow = LGBT+ are obvious yet. It is necessary, to some extent, to meet people where they are. I think, Dex, that you may be a bit ahead of certain parties in the F1 paddock.
Also, I’m not entirely clear how you propose to get Fangio involved with this, given he died a decade ago.
MichaelN
26th March 2025, 9:54
And yet Vettel and his millions didn’t know how fast they could relocate to a tax haven, thereby depriving the Germans of money to invest in education, social programs, and combating climate change.
Attending a one day karting event, probably at the behest of his former bosses at Aramco, doesn’t quite balance the scales here.
Do whatever, but this preachy “do as I say not as I do” is a bit too obvious.
Jason Blankenship (@jblank)
26th March 2025, 12:05
The “elites” are all like that. It’s why acres of rain forest get paved over for a climate summit or whatever it was. It is “rules for thee and not for me”. Hypocrites, the lot of them.
Peter707
26th March 2025, 16:04
Why do you assume that an overblown state with its overcomplicated system used your money better than you would? It is much more effective to support the educational, social and environmental initiatives directly.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
26th March 2025, 16:12
Peter707, states are often better at understanding the concept of secondary requirements than individuals.
Peter707
26th March 2025, 16:58
I assume you live a country where the state does it work very well. And even there, there are heated discussions on where to spend the money. Most of your fellows around the world are not that lucky, much of the govermment revenue goes to pointless investments, or simply stolen.
Ferdi
26th March 2025, 10:44
Well, luckily he didn’t (earlier). I do not know where he gets the idea that I would want to listen to sport athletes when it comes to non sports related matters. Must be misplaced arrogance or something.
Jason Blankenship (@jblank)
26th March 2025, 12:03
It really is. The political left refused up until very recently to understand that the lecturing and agenda pushing has negative impacts and people reject it, when it’s inserted into sports.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
26th March 2025, 16:15
@jblank And those who complained continue to refuse to understand the negative impacts of its insistence, not only to those campaigns, but the sports they claim to care about. Unless you plan to explain to the family of the next driver who dies why it was acceptable to allow the FIA to restrict drivers’ ability to protest (which appears to have already been used in F1, by the way)?
Jason Blankenship (@jblank)
27th March 2025, 12:15
That makes no sense.
El Pollo Loco
28th March 2025, 4:42
I still don’t think the DNC understands that. They’re so out of touch that before forcing KH upon us they were considering having debates (for D candidates to replace JB after he dropped out) moderated by Oprah, Taylor Swift and, worst of all, Lena Dunham. Their utter cluelessness has landed us with easily the most disastrous and corrupt administration in American history by a factor of 10. People think of Nixon as a monster, but he’s a saint and a scholar compared what we have right now.
Seb’s heart is in the right place and when allowed to have nuanced discussions on these topics, he can be very good. But, moves like that shirt he’s wearing in the thumbnail, only reaffirm people who were already with you while pushing away those who need to be gradually won over (the number of humans who can or are willing to change their mind quickly is a statistical anomaly).
El Pollo Loco
28th March 2025, 4:44
I still don’t the DNC understands that. They’re so out of touch that before forcing Kamala upon us they were considering having debates (for D candidates to replace Biden after he dropped out) chaired by Oprah, Taylor Swift and, worst of all, Lena Dunham. Their utter cluelessness has landed us with easily the most disastrous and corrupt administration in American history by a factor of 10. People think of Nixon as a monster, but he’s a saint and a scholar compared what we have right now.
Seb’s heart is in the right place and when allowed to have nuanced discussions on these topics, he can be very good. But, moves like that shirt he’s wearing in the thumbnail, only reaffirm people who were already with you while pushing away those who need to be gradually won over (the number of humans who can or are willing to change their mind quickly is a statistical anomaly).
El Pollo Loco
28th March 2025, 4:47
don’t think*
BTW, I edited that comment 50 times trying to figure out why it wasn’t being published before remembering the word I substituted with chaired and rhymes with “boderated” automatically holds up your post. Pretty silly stuff, guys.
El Pollo Loco
28th March 2025, 5:00
From Jason’s latter posts I see that’s not what he meant at all. He just wants anyone who doesn’t agree with him to kind of shut up, especially athletes and celebrities. However, he did inadvertently make a point that those in power and some of the biggest news orgs have failed to recognize, which is that the way they go about pursuing their agenda is not only ineffective, but counterproductive.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
26th March 2025, 14:43
He’s not doing any harm is he. Just using his fame/position to try to make the world better. He does not really gain anything that he does not already have.
baasbas
26th March 2025, 14:59
@Ferdi
I think I miss your point.
I think he has an audience? I think that’s a fact.
You’re not his audience? I think you just made that clear.
Honest question:
How is Vettel trying to convey whatever message to his audience (that is not you!) turn into “misplaced arrogance”?
If I were of the hair-splitting-type I’d also say that you imply there is also something as correctly placed arrogance. But let’s ignore that.
El Pollo Loco
28th March 2025, 4:53
Agree with the sentiment, but an effective change maker convinces people who aren’t already on your side and that’s the tough, but much more important job. It requires subtlety rather than brash stances. It’s something too few have figured out. You can preach to the choir and hear a beautiful echo or you can use amicable messaging to help convince those on the fence and slowly soften opposition. Even simply softening opposition is a huge win.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
26th March 2025, 16:13
Some apparently need it. They’re not always people who want it, either. (I’m not saying you need it, I’m thinking certain people in power).
Cranberry
26th March 2025, 11:00
Why on earth do these pretentious, self righteous, athletes and celebrities think regular people should care what they have to say about societal issues?
The only more perplexing thing to me, are the actual regular people who do listen to these egomaniacal narcissists.
How efficiently have these pompous world savers organized their “tax planning” strategies? You know, it used to be called something else I think…
Shut up and just drive the car! (This is about the only redeemable feature Verstappen has)
If the environment really is your passion, use some of the millions you got from just driving the car and become an angel investor into a battery company that develops non-toxic, bio-degradable batteries!
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
26th March 2025, 16:16
Cranberry, the point is that many people not only care, but find it easier to digest that way than from the sort of sources one would expect to be believed. Welcome to the social media age.
Jason Blankenship (@jblank)
26th March 2025, 12:01
This insufferable preaching about these things are the last things fans want in sports. There’s been substantial backlash to the injection of politics and social messaging in sports and leagues are backtracking because the numbers speak for themselves. People don’t want to hear it! Stop lecturing! People will turn away from it whether it’s in sports, film, or news. If people want to devote their time to the cause du jour, go for it, but keep it away from your job.
Sergey Martyn
26th March 2025, 12:11
I believe his only real regret that he is wrongly decided to follow that rainbow, green and other lunatics agendas.
Reap the harvest you’ve sown.
baasbas
26th March 2025, 12:34
@Sergey Martyn
That sure is a weird conclusion to make reading his quotes in this article, no?
Sergey Martyn
26th March 2025, 13:33
Looks like you haven’t the very first sentence of this article:
Sebastian Vettel says he regrets not being more vocal about equality, climate change and other social issues which concern him earlier in his career.
baasbas
26th March 2025, 15:05
@Sergey Martyn
Yes, thank you, I read that.
But considering he is openly supporting those causes kind of demonstrate he does not regret supporting those causes. …Which.. make sense.
You believing he regrets supporting those causes … make no sense?
To be clear, I’m not saying anything about his causes to be righteous or true or whatever. For the sake of the argument assume they’re all wrong. Even then your comment doesn’t make sense
Coventry Climax
26th March 2025, 13:00
The point being there’s people like you, constantly trampling the crop of others, denying them their rights to harvest.
You start out with ‘I believe’, and that’s fine, but it continues with ‘but others cannot’ and that’s not fine.
Sergey Martyn
26th March 2025, 14:35
Isn’t it a vocal minority trampling denying normal people rights?
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
26th March 2025, 16:18
Sergey Martyn, that’s exactly what they’re telling you the people denying athletes (former and current) permission to speak about these things are doing – that group is being a vocal minority denying everyone else rights.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
26th March 2025, 14:44
Absolutely!
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
26th March 2025, 14:47
Lunatics agenda, eh. If you cannot see what is going on in the world around you then there’s no hope is there. Climate change exists you know and people are having their rights restricted before our eyes. We don’t need to look at China, Russia or the Middle East. It’s happening in the so called ‘West’.
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
26th March 2025, 15:00
The climate has been changing since the Earth was built. The plates move over the molten core. The sun has cycles. Volcanoes erupt. Earthquakes and tsunamis occur.
baasbas
26th March 2025, 15:23
@jimfromus
While you’re not wrong, it is still a flawed argument. The current rate of change is unprecedented and the human influence is proven. And it is shockingly easy to find credible sources on this.
I could make chatgpt spell it out and copy paste it here but something tells me it doesn’t matter anyway
Coventry Climax
26th March 2025, 15:57
You’re talking about the part that’s indeed natural. Absolutely noone is contesting that, and there’s no need to get all upset about it if some nutcase claims otherwise.
But over the last decades, the largest and still increasing part of what’s happening, has been attributed to human activity. By science, proven data and all, not by religion. Sure, you’ll find the oddball, that’s been paid or blackmailed to say the opposite, and ofcourse, it makes perfect sense for some to then believe that single one instead of the outlandishly vast majority of proven, serious scientists that say it’s us and we have undeniable proof.
But even so, why would you want to take chances, if the consequences are irreversable and lethal?
I can find you a ‘scientist’ that will vow you can hold your breath for 20 minutes. Care to take a chance? What about him saying it on ‘Truth social’? You believe it then?
Jason Blankenship (@jblank)
26th March 2025, 15:57
Amen!
MoogleSlam
26th March 2025, 14:27
Vettel started out as of my least favorite drivers for a variety of silly reasons like the finger or for disobeying of team rules. I always liked Webber better. I always liked the Ferrari or McLaren or Mercedes drivers better. On and off track.
I never expected that to change.
But it did. Late in his career, because of his support for this issues, and because he became a joy to listen to in interviews, he became one of my favorites. We need more like Vettel in Formula 1. It makes the world a better place.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
26th March 2025, 14:51
I agree. It’s good to see a bit of compassion and interest in things that might improve people’s lives. The same goes for Lewis. These people don’t have any obligation to do this but I think it’s a good thing.
kevin citron
26th March 2025, 14:36
go away w/ ur millions and ur insufferable attitude
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
26th March 2025, 14:58
These drivers should demand an all female pit crew and mechanics.
Personally, I bring my truck to a garage. I don’t care who the mechanic is as long as they can keep my truck running. Same with doctors, cooks at restaurants, bank teller, etc.
Coventry Climax
26th March 2025, 16:04
Which is exactly the same they’re advocating.
The difference is when it’s clear there’s groups of people that don’t get any chance to start a garage, because there’s other groups of people denying them that chance, even if they have the exact same qualifications and are equally as human.
Alianora La Canta (@alianora-la-canta)
26th March 2025, 16:20
@jimfromus They’re advocating more female pit crew and mechanics – and starting to get them, partly thanks to those requests.
I can also confirm from my experience of various workplaces that there are people who – sometimes violently – refuse medical care from female staff, and on one notable occasion, refused service from a female cook.
praxis (@praxis)
26th March 2025, 18:14
Vettel has reputation, platform and recognition…. he’s using those to effect some positive changes. I have nothing but respect for him on this.
Neil (@neilosjames)
26th March 2025, 18:54
I generally don’t like seeing ‘celebrities’ trying to talk about causes, because most of them seem to have little more than a superficial understanding of whatever the topic is, and seem to think one social media post is ‘job done’ and they can go back to their merry lives without another thought. Especially on scientific topics, they probably do more harm than good.
Vettel appeared to have a better understanding, though, and came across as more genuine, so I never minded his inputs.
For that reason I don’t think he should regret not speaking out, because in his early career – as he says – he was all about racing, so likely lacked the knowledge and passion to speak out with any sort of authority. He’d just have been another no-clue celeb with no depth to what he was saying.
That 1980s Wall Street Guy
27th March 2025, 1:20
My only regret, is that I have, Boneitis!
Philippe (@philippe)
27th March 2025, 13:04
Came here to write this, haha!!
Also, user name checks out.
Steven Williamson
27th March 2025, 4:40
Vettel has shown himself to be a good person with a good heart, and although I don’t begrudge anyone their opinions, why should we care what he thinks just because he became famous?
BenHur
27th March 2025, 17:29
Well Seb you are entitled to say anything you want about any subject you feel can make you look properly virtuous, yours is a free country more or less.
What I don’t get is why anybody would give a ff about your vacuous and ignorant assertions. Or why can’t the opinions of my cat’s hairdresser, who is a lot more knowledgeable than you about all these issues, have the same circulations as yours.
If you care to talk about how to tackle Istanbul Park’s turn 8 with a blown diffusor, I might listen to your informed opinion. Otherwise, please spare me. Thanks.