F1: Vettel 'not a saint' amid FIA briefing saga

(GMM) Despite insisting he tries to “set a good example” in Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel has been penalized for storming out of a meeting in Austria.

The quadruple world champion, who is increasingly involved in social, cultural and environmental activism, had a EUR 25,000 fine suspended for the rest of 2022.

According to stewards, the 35-year-old stormed out of the drivers’ briefing.

“Drivers at this level are role models for every driver around the world and in the opinion of the stewards, Vettel failed to live up to that standard in this case,” a statement read.

Earlier, he hit back at those who believe he should stop moralizing and telling people what to do and stick to racing his Aston Martin.

“I’m not a saint, I can’t tell anyone how to behave,” the German told Sport1.

“But I try to set a good example and use the Formula 1 platform to inspire people. For example, I drove to Spielberg instead of flying.”

He also wore a bee-themed t-shirt in the Red Bull Ring paddock and a bee-themed helmet in his cockpit to promote the idea of sustainability.

#5 Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin during the Austrian GP, 6-10 July 2022 at Red Bull Ring track, Formula 1 World championship 2022.

“I don’t do it for its own sake, but for the greater good,” Vettel insists.

“And maybe when it comes to sustainability, I’m also driven by the typical question asked by Formula 1 drivers – ‘Why aren’t we fast enough?'”

Why Vettel Stormed out

George Russell has called for an end to F1’s system of rotating race directors and believes the FIA should stick to one to help improve consistency and accountability.

It is understood that tensions rose during an animated drivers’ briefing on Friday evening, with the consistency of F1 stewards’ application of the rules this season highlighted as a concern.

Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel was handed a suspended €25,000 fine for “expressing frustration” as he stormed out of the meeting “without permission”.

F1’s officiating and consistency has been a regular debate ever since the sport lost long-serving and highly respected race director Charlie Whiting, who died on the eve of the 2019 season.

Whiting was succeeded by Michael Masi, who lost his job following a string of controversies that concluded with his incorrect application of the rules during a late Safety Car in Abu Dhabi that altered the outcome of the 2021 world championship.

Following Masi’s dismissal, the FIA appointed two race directors – Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas – to rotate the role for the 2022 season.