When Sebastian Vettel rode for Red Bull, in addition to several years of dominance, he was also known for changing the design of his helmets very often. The FIA later curtailed this, but recently the rule relaxed again. And Sebastian Vettel started using T-shirts and helmets to draw attention to various problems.
In addition to condemning the war in Ukraine, these are mainly climate issues. Vettel arrived in Montreal with a T-shirt and helmet bearing the words “Stop Tar Sand Mining” and “Canadian Climate Crime.”
Vettel’s fight did not go unnoticed. Alberta, Canada’s energy minister, has called Sony Savage a hypocrite on social media. And she certainly didn’t use diplomatic language.
“I’ve seen a lot of hypocrisy over the years, but this is the highlight,” Savage wrote. “Aston Martin-sponsored race car driver, funded by Saudi Aramco, is complaining about oil sands. Saudi Aramco has the largest daily oil production of any company in the world. It has been considered the largest contributor to global carbon emissions of all companies since 1965. “
Vettel responded to the minister’s words after asking questions. “Yes, I am a hypocrite. I make a living from what I make a living or do what I love, “said Vettel, quoted by RaceFans.
“I am a little disappointed that politicians are personal, because it’s not about me at all, but about the broader view. What is really important is the message that we need to make the transition and get rid of fossil fuels and start relying on our entire lifestyle. ”
Team intervention?
Vettel’s fight against the tar sands had another dimension. He wore a helmet on Friday and Saturday, but on Sunday he returned to his previous helmet, which condemns the war in Ukraine.
In addition, the helmet does not appear very unusually on Aston Martin’s social networks or in its large photo bank. There’s a helmet on Sunday. Coincidence or team intervention?
Sky Sports asked Vettela. “I don’t want to say anything, I have more than one helmet,” Vettel said. When reporter Peter Hardenacke asked if the team had exerted pressure, the four-time world champion of props reacted evasively. “Do you have any more questions?”
However, Aston boss Martin Mike Krack denied that the team put any pressure on Vettel in this matter.
“He normally informs us what he’s up to, and then we agree on how to do it,” Krack said. “He wanted to use a helmet and a T-shirt to draw attention to the subject. At one point, he decided that attention had been drawn. Yes, he can’t wear the same T-shirt every day. In the past, you have seen that such campaigns took place mainly on Fridays and Saturdays. But of course he is free to decide. He is a free man. “
