Vettel looking forward to 'Question Time' debate on BBC

Sebastian Vettel expects he'll learn a lot from his appearance this week on the BBC's debate programme 'Question Time'.

Each week, 'Question time' selects a panel of individuals – typically from the world of politics and media – who express their views on questions relevant to the general public's current concerns.

Whether he's sporting a rainbow T-shirt on the grid in support of the LGBTQ+ community, picking up plastic litter in the grandstands, building bee colonies with children or advocating for human rights, Vettel is F1's all-round resident activist alongside his former arch-rival Lewis Hamilton.

As a prominent member of a community that runs counter to some of Vettel's beliefs, the Aston Martin driver inevitably often feels conflicted. But the German never shies away from an opportunity to address the topics at the forefront of his concerns, not as a driver but as citizen of the world.

In Miami, Vettel said that he had no idea what will be discussed on 'Question Time', but the four-time world champion is looking forward to the experience.

"I don’t know, I’m fairly open," he said about the programme's agenda. "But yeah, I think it’s a difficult… not difficult, a different format. And yeah, looking forward to it.

"I think there’s a lot I can learn. Obviously, I have my opinion. I’m not saying it’s always right or wrong.

“But I think it will be interesting because it will be a very different setting and probably different sorts of questions or topics to be spoken about.

"So yeah, fairly open at this point. And yeah, it really was coincidence, and I think it was an interesting opportunity because it’s just different and looking forward to it."

• Read also: Domenicali taking Vettel criticism of F1 'seriously'

Coincidently, or perhaps not, Vettel wore a t-shirt in Miami labeled 'Miami 2060 – 1st Grand Prix under water', a message alluding to rising sea levels due to global warming.

The 34-year-old explained his motivation behind the ominous message.

"It’s not a political message, I don’t want to be political. I think it’s a very human message," he told Sky Sports.

"I find it alarming and I’m surprised we go to a place that will not be here in 50 years and everyone acts as if it’s business as usual.

"That’s very disturbing to me and I think the situation is very serious, and obviously I want to express my feelings with that T-shirt.

"It’s really just what I feel, I’m not trying to take a political stand. We are in trouble and need to act now, otherwise there will be a lot of suffering."

'Question Time' will be broadcast on BBC ONE on Thursday, May 12 at 22:40 GMT.

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