Sebastian Vettel lashed out at the Italian president while criticizing the fly-bys at the Italian Grand Prix this Sunday. This is not the first time the Aston Martin driver has been vocal about environmental concerns, but this might be the first time he has taken on the diplomat of an entire country in doing so.

The four-time world champion, unfortunately, did not get to finish his last Italian Grand Prix race this past Sunday. Vettel’s AMR22 had to be stopped on the 11th lap due to battery issues, bringing out the virtual safety car.

Sebastian Vettel annoyed with fly-bys

F1 recently moved to ban the longtime tradition of military aviation displays before the races. This was done prior to the 2022 season in a bid to support sustainability and environmental efficiency in F1 racing.

However, the Italian Grand Prix this Sunday saw the Italian Tricolor fly-by with full pomp before the race. Sebastian Vettel seems particularly infuriated by this reversal of the ban. Vettel took a rather pointed dig at the Italian diplomat on this occasion.

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“I heard the president, whoever the president was, I don’t know, was it the president of Italy? He was insisting to have the fly-by. He’s about 100 years old so it’s difficult for him to let go of these kinds of ego things.”

“We were promised the fly-bys were gone,” added Vettel.

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Vettel’s enthusiasm for environmental awareness is indeed admirable. The F1 champion has been responsible for creating climate consciousness within the F1 community. However, this recent outburst at a president might have bitten off more than Vettel can chew at the moment.

Italian officials react to Vettel’s comments

The Italian president, Sergio Mattarella, might not be 100 years old, as Sebastian Vettel remarked, but he is certainly the distinguished, well-respected, 81-year-old president of a country. A country whose people seem none too happy with Vettel’s outburst.

Giuseppe Radaelli, president of Monza circuit operator Sias, said in response to Vettel, “For the first time, the planes flew with 25 percent biofuel – an important experiment also for civil aviation,” as he was quoted by Il Giornale.

And Radaelli is not the only one. Geronimo La Russa, president of the automobile club di Milano, also spoke out, saying, “I’m sorry that a former world champion, who also won his first grand prix in Monza, created a controversy as useless as this.”

“All he has to do now is apologise to President Mattarella and all Italians. I was taught that the president is respected, especially if you are a guest in a foreign country.”

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Despite his noble intentions, Sebastian Vettel has clearly offended Italian countrymen with his remarks. While it is true that the fly-by ban would reduce carbon emissions, the aircraft displays are a part of the military training process as well and not just for show.

Do you believe Sebastian Vettel should apologize? Or did he do the right thing in calling out the revoking of the ban?