Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel appeared on Britain’s television show Question Time on Thursday night to discuss a number of current political and global issues, with a particular focus on the energy crisis.
In recent years, the German has become a major voice in motorsports on the climate issues facing the world, as well as on other important social and political issues, such as LGBTQ+ rights and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
During the programme, Vettel insisted on the importance of countries not being dependent on a single energy supply, citing Germany’s reliance on Russian energy and the position it has left his home country in since the invasion of Ukraine in February.
When the show’s host pointed out the Aston Martin driver who was competing in a “petrol-guzzling” sport, the comment was met with some laughter from the audience.
Asked if racing in Formula 1 made him a hypocrite when it came to highlighting the need to save energy, Vettel replied: “That’s right, and you’re right when you laugh, because there are questions I ask myself every day.” .
“I’m not a saint. I’m very concerned about the future, like these issues when it comes to energy, energy dependency and where we’re going in the future.”
Vettel added that “he wonders if he should be racing in F1 and traveling the world.”
“There are certain things that are under my control, and some things are not,” he said. “It’s my passion to drive a car, and I love it and every time I get in, I love it. When I get out, of course I also think: is this something we should do? Travel the world wasting resources?” .
But Vettel also highlighted the importance of F1 as a source of entertainment, as he considers that people “would probably go crazy” without things to enjoy: “There are many questions that I ask myself. There are many things that I do because I feel that I can make them better.”
“Do I need to catch a plane every time? No, not when I can take the car. There are certain things that are in my control and others that are out of my control,” he said.
The German was joined on Question Time by Conservative MP and Attorney General Suella Braverman , Labor MP Shabana Mahmood , economist Miatta Fahnbulleh and comedian Geoff Norcott .
They were answering questions from the public on various topics, such as the cost of living crisis, the Northern Ireland protocol of the Brexit agreement, Finland’s application to join NATO and the “Partygate” scandal in which British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was involved.
Vettel highlighted that the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is a key issue for nations to address, as well as saying that the UK government has to deal with the consequences of pushing for the Brexit deal to be finalized.
In relation to “Partygate” and Johnson’s breach of the law during lockdown, the Aston Martin man said: “I think when you’re in that position, there are certain things you can’t do.”
“In the end, it’s the prime minister who made the law and then breaks it. I just think that if I’m a father of three children and I’m trying to explain to them something that I think is really important about how to behave, and I do the exact opposite, what do I do?” what do you think they would do? I would be the least credible person in front of them.”
“We all make mistakes, we’re human. But there are certain things that I think come with the position or the job that you can’t do,” he said.
