Sebastian Vettel says he had no problem putting his German pride to the side to carry the pink corporate colours of personal sponsor BWT on his 2021 helmet.
The Austrian water treatment company, which aims to become the global leader in water technology and developing products and processes that are both eco-friendly and cost-effective, has enjoyed a prominent presence in F1 since 2017 with Force India/Racing Point.
However, following the rebranding of the Silverstone-based outfit as Aston Martin, BWT has ceded its title sponsor role with the team but has signed up Vettel as an ambassador to the company.
The four-time world champion is now doing his part to 'Change the world, sip by sip', the message displayed on his new helmet which has swapped its traditional German colors for a striking pink motif.
©AstonMartin
"I don’t have any pride in my way to stick to the German flag. The design is similar, and the core is still the same, but obviously the message is clear," said Vettel as he explained the livery change and BWT's message.
“The team has a history as well with BWT, it’s not just a strong partnership for the team, but I think strong technology behind, making drinkable water accessible to places that would normally struggle, and not just those places, but also any other places."
The eco-conscious Vettel, who once chastised a group of reporters in the paddock for leaving their plastic bottles behind, says he's been doing his best at home to manage his water resources and waste.
"I have something, I have the technology at home," he said. "I don’t use plastic bottles any more, so you avoid plastic rubbish.
"I think Formula 1 is pushing very hard to get rid of plastics in the paddock. I’ve been doing my best the last couple of years, so I think there’s just solutions out there and companies such as BWT delivering those type of solutions, and we all should thrive and have to thrive for a better world and better future.
"I think the main thing is to create an awareness. It’s a small thing, to paint your helmet in a different colour, but it reaches quite a lot of people, so I’m happy to hear that you noticed."
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
