Vettel backs F1's 'ambitious' net zero carbon target

Sebastian Vettel applauded Formula 1 for the bold environmental initiative it announced earlier this week, insisting the plan is an "incredible challenge" based on the right values.

Formula 1 revealed a comprehensive strategy involving all the sport's participants, whether it’s teams, promoters or fans, that will hopefully see Grand Prix racing reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.

"It’s good to see that people who can make decisions and can make a change are thinking of making a change," said Vettel, speaking ahead of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.

"I think it is an ambitious target. Equally, I would like to see a lot of the goals that are set out to be achieved sooner because I think it is a must in our times and we can’t afford to wait.

"So I think it’s definitely going in the right direction."

• F1 begins quest to become Net Zero Carbon by 2030

Vettel admits that Formula 1, by its very resource-consuming nature or its use of the combustion engine, is perhaps a legitimate target for environmentalists.

"Obviously the sport that we love is called motor sport because we have an engine in our car," commented the Ferrari driver.

"So it comes with maybe some things that people jump on and would like to criticise and say it’s all a fraud.

"But I think in general we should not try and highlight the things that maybe people are not doing or you think [they] should do differently.

"I think we should focus on things that we actually can do differently in order to make a change. This is both for every individual, but also for us as a sport.

“So I think the challenge is quite clear.

"It’s to obviously improve our sport, enhance the show, grow a passion based on the values that we share for such a long time. But make them sustainable.

"I think that is an incredible challenge. But as I said, it’s about time."

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