'No saint' Vettel wants to set a better example on swearing

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel says that he wants to see drivers swearing less over the team radio that is broadcast on the world live feed, while admitting that he's no saint in that regard himself.

“When I started, nobody cared what I yelled into the helmet because hardly anyone could hear it,” Vettel told F1-Insider in an exclusive interview with the German sports website before Christmas. “It’s different today.

“I think you should live out your feelings and stand by them, but you don’t have to shout ‘sh*t’ ten times," he added, comparing inevitable emotional outbursts during races with those of footballers on the pitch during a match.

• Read also: Vettel 'happier now' but will always cherish time with Ferrari

"Emotions remain important, especially in sport. Sometimes you are happy, sometimes angry, sometimes sad," he said. “There's no shame in showing exactly that, but what is decisive is the way you show it.

"You don’t have to be a saint, but you should at least show you want to be one," he continued, adding that he's hoping to do better himself in the future in that regard. “I also want to demonstrate a certain language for my children."

On the subject of children, Vettel was asked how he felt about the idea of any of his own children taking up motorsport and possibly becoming a future F1 driver and world champion, in the way Max Verstappen has followed in the footsteps of his father Jos.

“I want my children to be happy, no matter what they do. I have zero expectations,” he insisted. “If it’s really the case that they want to drive, I would support them in that. But I wouldn’t be sad if that’s not the case either.

“I’ve seen so many people who have a lot of money and still aren’t happy, and vice versa," he said. “I know many people who chase after big money, but when the chequered flag falls there's no pot of luck.

"Luck is when you have fun, and that’s what I want for my children," he asserted. “I know it sounds romantic, especially if you have money yourself, but it’s what I believe in."

Vettel admitted that his outlook on life has changed in recent years as he's got older and become a parent.

"The athletic ambition is still there, but there are many more things that you perceive," the 34-year-old said. "The more experience you have, the more efficiently you can use your time and also take care of other things.

"In addition, my life as a family man is simply different today," he continued. "Certain values have been dormant in you for a long time, but with increasing age and experience you live it out more openly and address it more directly.

"In any case, I am dealing with different topics today than eleven years ago. It's about respect, standing up and standing up for things. You can't train something like that, but you can get more out of yourself if you deal more with the topic.

"You should always keep the big picture in mind, then it's easier to let certain things be in order to achieve the greater goal behind them.

"But there is a clear line," he added. "You should still be able to look in the mirror with everything you do and say.

"Let's take a funny example: if I was offered the chance to drive the fastest car in F1 and guaranteed the next victory and title, but I would have to sit naked in the car for that - I would say: no, thank you!

"You have to stand up for your values and ideals, but everyone has to decide for himself what he is ready to do for it."

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