Former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel has expressed his disagreement with the idea of banning petrol cars.
Despite some environmental activists pushing for restrictions on activities like air and road travel in the name of addressing climate change, 35-year-old Vettel does not share the same sentiment.
Vettel does agree that there needs to be certain changes as we move forward. He commented, “Without wanting to limit freedom, do you really have to fly to New York for three days? Yes, there are people for whom this is necessary. But just for fun?”
“I’m the last person who would want to ban anything. But you also have to look at the bigger picture and see how many people are already suffering from climate change.”
The German, who is in his first year after F1, admits that one of his hobbies involves riding petrol-powered motorbikes.
“That still gives me a lot of pleasure,” he said. “On the other hand, I understand people who see the climate catastrophe as an existential threat to themselves.
“Again, I think it’s important not to talk about bans, but to emphasize the alternatives. Motorbikes can be operated with synthetic fuels.”
Vettel also engages with some old F1 cars that run on sustainable fuel.
“I’m not a fan of biofuels,” he admitted. “Land is used to grow fodder to produce fuel – not so great. We can do better.
“But cars and motorcycles are cultural assets. A lot of good has come of it. We should not abolish them, but keep them alive.”
Another way things can improve, Vettel said, is for cities to become “more liveable.”
“If I imagine that public transport will be more fluid, like rail being better than it is today, then the question of car or plane may no longer arise.
“As soon as the offer is right, the majority will go along with it. Many lack the vision of improvement. Change scares them at first. It takes imagination.”
