Vettel on his biggest regret: ‘I should have used my voice sooner’

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has admitted that he regrets not using his platform earlier in his career to speak out on social issues, including equality, climate change, and human rights.

In a candid interview with the BBC, Vettel reflected on his journey from being solely focused on racing to becoming an advocate for causes he believes in.

With a career that saw him conquer four titles with Red Bull, endure a bittersweet Ferrari stint, and bow out at Aston Martin, Vettel’s late-blooming activism – splashed across his helmet and bold initiatives – marks a man racing to make up for lost time.

A Rookie’s Tunnel Vision

From his 2007 debut in F1 to his championship glory days at Red Bull, Vettel was a man possessed – by speed, by precision, by victory. But as the laps piled up, so did the questions.

The world beyond the cockpit loomed larger, and by his final two seasons in 2021 and 2022, he couldn’t ignore it anymore.

“When I started as a rookie, I was solely focused on racing and it was the only thing that was occupying my day, really,” Vettel explained.

“But towards the last couple of years, I think it’s probably one of the things, maybe the only thing that I would say I regret, is not to speak out earlier in my career and seeing the potential power in terms of reach and audience that you might have as a professional athlete to inspire people.

“Since then [I’ve been] trying to spread messages that are important to me.”

Over his final seasons in F1, Vettel became more vocal about issues such as under-representation of women in motorsport, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental concerns.

He used helmet designs and apparel to draw attention to these causes, making him one of the sport’s most outspoken drivers in its modern era along with his former arch-rival, Lewis Hamilton.

Championing Women in Motorsport

Vettel’s awakening found its footing in 2021, when F1 rolled into Saudi Arabia – a land of stark contrasts and slow change. There, he didn’t just race; he ignited a spark.

“I’ve been there in 2021 launching the ‘Race for Women’ event which was mostly about taking young girls and women to the track and giving them a glimpse of racing in go-karts and we had a fun day and that’s the story we’re trying to continue to tell,” he said.

In a country where women couldn’t drive legally until 2018, Vettel’s all-female karting event in Jeddah was a quiet rebellion. He’s not done, either – he’s plotting a return to nurture those “seeds”.

“So the intention really is to go back and continue once we’ve sort of planted the seeds and give those girls and women a little bit of a voice,” he explained, his tone resolute.

The impact? Hard to measure, but real. “It’s always difficult with these things how much impact you might have,” he admitted.

“Certainly we had a lot of impact on all these girls and gave them a lot of courage for the future to speak out in a country that is changing and evolving and things are improving,” he reflected.

It’s not just about laps as far as Vettel is concerned – it’s about legacy.

Encouraging a Shift in Mindset

Vettel has expressed his desire to see more women competing in motorsport, challenging the long-standing stereotype that racing is a male-dominated field.

“When I did go-karts in Europe I raced girls but it was very rare,” Vettel noted. “The more girls we have participating and less of these stereotypes that girls can’t race, I think it’s positive, it’s good evolution.”

The German driver emphasized that while the push for equality is important everywhere, it is particularly significant in regions where change is slow.

“It is important in Europe but it’s even more important I think in a place like Saudi where you can feel things are opening up, maybe not with the speed we all wish or some people expect but there are steps,” he said.

“It’s great to see these girls get a chance to get behind the wheel.”

Using A Platform for Greater Impact

Even though Vettel has retired from F1, he remains committed to raising awareness and driving positive change.

“It’s about spreading the message and keeping planting the seeds, inspire those girls and young women. But inspiring people around the world as well with the platform that I have.”

While Vettel may regret not speaking up sooner, his late-career activism has left a lasting mark on Formula 1 and beyond.

But by using his voice to champion important issues, he has set a precedent for future athletes to leverage their influence in meaningful ways.

The racer who once lived for the checkered flag now chases a different finish line – one where his voice, not just his victories, leaves a mark.

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