But the 35-year-old explained how, as he gets older and is more receptive to problems off the track, he is more willing to take action to solve them.
“It sounds a bit stereotypical, but you’re 30 and I mean, I have kids, so things change,” he explained. “And although I’m the same as 10 years ago, I’m not the same anymore and a lot of things have changed.
“As well, in terms of interests or how you see the world and how you understand the world and I think I’ve always tried to see things, but maybe I haven’t seen as much things when I was young compared to now. Some things, I think, ‘What? How could you miss them?'”
And one of the topics that Vettel is passionate about is climate change and the extent to which the problem should be tackled.
Vettel believes the racing world is “not doing enough” to reinvest the huge profits it is making because “the problem we are facing is bigger than perhaps we realize”.
“I think there’s a lot of money in Formula 1, a lot of money that goes back and that’s about how much money we’re happy to reinvest. And I think it’s not just for Formula 1, but for all the companies there.” said Vettel.
“Obviously we have big events, a lot of people attend, so you have to have the infrastructure in place to transport those people if you want to stop them from coming by car, for example, which here in the Netherlands works good because it’s so isolated and there are only two roads and it would be a disaster if everyone could come by car.”
F1 is trying to tackle the problem of climate change with new engine regulations which will come into force in 2026.
Vettel believes that if the sport wanted to implement these changes sooner they could, but would have to put ‘internal issues’ aside.
“Obviously, to pursue our passion, we burn fuel and that’s what people see. And if people criticize that, that’s fair,” he said.
“It’s fair to be criticized at a time when we’re talking about approaching a winter where people might not be as comfortable as they used to be and might freeze at home and will have to deal with very, very different, not being able to pay their bills, etc. and so on, so I think it’s only fair that we see it and try to challenge it.
He added: “He needs us, you and me, to rethink our behaviors and be happy to maybe change some things and let go of some of the comfort. Let’s face it, it often comes down to comfort.
“And on the other hand, it needs systematic change. It needs regulations and rules that don’t allow you to run the event unless you do certain things and tick certain things. boxes.”
The future
Like another great champion in another sport – Serena Williams – 2022 is the year for Vettel to step away from the cockpit, hang up the helmet and retire from racing.
Over his 15-year career, he became one of the sport’s most successful drivers, recording 53 race wins and 122 podium finishes.
Between 2010 and 2013 he was the dominant driver in F1, winning the Drivers’ Championship four years in a row while driving for Red Bull.
Only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have claimed more victories than Vettel, who is currently in his second year racing for Aston Martin after a six-year stint with Ferrari.
After such a distinguished career at the wheel, Vettel relishes the opportunity to spend more time with his three children, without having to worry about his performance on the track.
“It may sound funny, but just to be there when I’m there and not in my thoughts and thinking about what I might have to do and prepare and think about to outsmart or outmaneuver others,” he said. said Vettel.
He added: “And I know the way I’ve done this job for so many years and want to do it, and I believe it’s right to do it, takes a lot of effort and a lot of dedication. energy. And if you try to do all the things at the same time, it doesn’t work.
“So it’s been tough anyway, but I think I’ve done really well and being there and doing that. I think now is the time to do other things, like I said, which is obviously a big part of focusing on family life, but also discovering new sides or elements about me and the interests that I have and giving them more space and more time and more space to really explore.”
But despite retiring as one of the most successful drivers in F1 history, Vettel acknowledges he will be forgotten due to the nature of the weather.
“For the race, for what I achieved on the track. But that will be forgotten one day because there are new children, they are doing really well and they will continue to do well. And then there will be more new children.
“So hopefully we’ll have girls and women in the future too. I don’t think I should be remembered and I’m not offended if people forget me in that regard. I think so I’m happy with what I’ve achieved, but it’s normal that time passes and there are new heroes to celebrate.
