Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
When you think of team politics in sports like football or cricket, you may think of a few occurrences that happened. However, none of them is like Formula 1, a sport that is defined by politics. Teams like Ferrari and Mercedes have a siege mentality towards reaching their own goals than F1 as a whole.
In a time where the world is adopting a more eco-friendly approach, F1 is lagging far behind. In fact, it’s frowned upon for its harmful ecological impact. The world is facing so many environmental issues that could destroy humanity. However, the teams and the FIA are standing still on this matter.
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This irks Sebastian Vettel.
“The seriousness of the situation is not understood. I find that frustrating. We know better, yet we don’t do it. This is how we seal our disappearance into irrelevance.”
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action after the race Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace
Sebastian Vettel proposes an ‘overall strategy’ for F1
Even though F1’s adverse effects on the environment are its Achilles heel, Vettel thinks that can become its key strength.
“There is a great opportunity for F1 to authentically secure its existence. But that is being ignored.
“I think it is precisely this pioneering role that can ensure the survival of our sport. We have the most efficient internal combustion engine in the world but it is of no use to the world, because the way we use it will never find its way into mass production.”
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SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JULY 05: Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko, and Renault Sport F1 Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul talk on the grid before the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
To counter such issues, the former Red Bull driver wants these innovations available to everyone, and not the teams keeping it as their intellectual property. Asking for a more comprehensive development rather than niche innovations, he said –
“Individual strategies of racing teams, one wants to produce the best battery, the other the best hybrid, are of little use to us. F1 needs an overall strategy.
“I think we have ignored the topic of environmental technology as a development area for too long.
Coming from a four-time World Champion, the FIA could do worse than heeding his advice. The German is not messing around when he questions the future of his most beloved sport. Hence, the F1 Community must act quickly on this before it drives itself into oblivion.
