Saint Seb! 5 times Sebastian Vettel proved he’s the nicest guy in Formula One: from campaigning for LGBT rights and supporting Ukraine, to reforming motorsports to combat climate change
- He might be famous for racing petrol-guzzling cars – and winning four F1 championships – but the German driver is fighting to reform the sport to battle climate change
- Vettel uses his fame to highlight LGBT rights and the plight of Ukraine, spurns private jets, and partnered with Andreas Gabalier to gift one million flowers for BeesAndApple
With 53 Grand Prix titles and four F1 World Championships to his name, Sebastian Vettel has built himself a powerful platform (or podium) from which he can spread awareness and enact real change. Despite a somewhat underwhelming 2022 season so far, the Aston Martin driver is increasingly making headlines for his bold messaging and strong stance on issues from environmental degradation to human rights. In keeping with his race number, we look at five causes close to Vettel’s heart.
Sometimes the truth isn’t very nice but it’s worth spreading if it’s so serious
The environment
Sebastian Vettel has taken his environmental activism up a gear this year. At the inaugural Miami Grand Prix in May, he donned a T-shirt and helmet with the message: “Miami 2060: First Grand Prix underwater” and told Sky Sports: “I’m surprised that we go to a place that is not going to be there in 50 years’ time and everybody acts and carries on as if it’s business as usual.”
Just last month at Baku, he wore a helmet covered in environment-forward messaging. In mid-June, he made headlines for protesting the mining Alberta’s tar sands, in Canada.
Although he admitted that it was only a small gesture intended to raise awareness, it garnered the attention of Alberta’s minister for energy, Sonya Savage, who took to Twitter to label Vettel (who has no social media presence) a hypocrite.
Indeed, Vettel has made his living driving petrol-guzzling cars but he has also made a concerted effort to practice what he preaches. Following the British GP last year, he collected litter in the stands for over three hours before heading to the waste management facility the next day.