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Sebastian Vettel says Formula 1 has a veritable challenge on its hands to remain relevant and "some big questions" to answer to ensure its sustainable future.
Grand Prix racing is set for a regulation overhaul in 2022, a change that shall be preceded by the introduction of a budget cap next year, with the measures targeting closer competition and a more equitable business model for teams.
But Vettel believes the sport must also evolve on other fronts amid ongoing societal and environmental changes in the world.
"I think, from my point of view, Formula 1 has a huge mountain to climb in order to still exist and still, you know, attract the fans and share emotions and passion," Vettel said ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.
"Obviously the whole situation with the pandemic around the world doesn’t help but nevertheless I think there’s some big questions to be answered for the future to make sure that this sport is still around in years to come.
"I think Formula 1 has to do more than just change the regulations. We all hope that the regulation change for the sport will bring the teams closer together and will make the competition on track closer.
"But apart from that, I think the world is moving fast and the world will face more and more big topics to fight. F1 cannot remain silent and close its eyes.
"Looking after the world, the environment, I think there’s some interesting aspects that we are trying to fulfill and achieve but I think Formula 1 has to do more and be a bit more tolerant.
"Otherwise I think - and that’s just my personal opinion - it could get difficult in the future."
Vettel then elaborated on various aspects he believes Formula 1 needs to address.
"I think Formula 1 should be setting examples rather than reacting to pressure from the outside," the German explained.
"When it comes to the environment we are driving around the weekend in cars, we’re burning fuel, which is probably a very small amount of the total energy or total carbon footprint if you want to talk in CO2 terms.
"But still I think we need to start acting more and more, setting the right example. And not just on our carbon footprint but also on other things.
"I do think every little bit makes a difference - the amount of plastic bottles we have, we consume during the weekend, I think there’s solutions to that. How we power maybe some panels and the paddock I think there’s solutions to that.
"We should be at the forefront and pushing developments rather than using what is convenient and cheap in order to make things work and easy.
"So F1 is obviously the pinnacle of motorsports when it comes to the development of the cars but I think it doesn’t just stop there.
"Also when you talk about the cars I think there’s more that can be done in order to have a greater relevance for the future, to now find our technology on the road in a few years’ time down the road."
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