Formula E driver Lucas di Grassi has launched a scathing attack on Sebastian Vettel, reacting to the German's criticism of the all-electric series by calling his environmental activism "green washing" and "not what he truly believes".
Given Vettel's environmental concerns, it was believed that the future F1 retiree would perhaps make a good fit with Formula E, if not as a competitor perhaps as an ambassador for the all-lectruc series.
But in an interview this week with German newspaper Zeit, Vettel rejected the idea, stating that he isn't convinced by Formula E's battery technology or its environmental credentials, given that the series uses diesel fuel on site to power the generators that recharge FE's cars.
©FormulaE
"I don't want to be a mascot and I don't want to put my face forward for something that doesn't fully convince me," said Vettel.
"I don't understand the meaning behind [Formula E]. The battery technology that is being developed has nothing to do with the technology that a normal car could use.
"It is not good for the environment if the batteries are charged not with renewable energy but with fossil fuels."
An angry di Grassi took exception with Vettel's comments on all levels.
"If Vettel don't want to come to Formula E, it is his choice," wrote di Grassi on Twitter. "Although it is the second highest paid series single-seater in the world, still far away from a top F1 salary."
Di Grassi then resorted to a personal attack on Vettel, calling out the Aston Martin driver for his environmental initiatives which the Brazilian claims are "greenwashing" and just for the show.
"Now to say that the technology of the cars are less relevant to the future of automobiles…. [he] either has no idea of what he is talking about or is trying to mislead the general public on purpose," he added.
"And/or all that green stuff he has been doing lately - collecting trash, riding bicycles etc - is completely greenwashing, not what he truly believes.
"So, whatever [whether] he likes or not the series, he should be supportive of it. That's all."
Earlier this year, Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko also took aim at Formula E, calling the series a "name fraud" for relying on diesel generators to charge the batteries of the series' field of cars.
However, while fossil fuels have been used in the past by Formula E , the sport now relies on a mixture of a special blend of glycerin and sugar alcohol for its generators.
Glycerin is a carbon-neutral fuel - safe, odorless, non-toxic, water-soluble, and an abundant by-product of biodiesel production.
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