F1: Vettel admits F1 can never be all-electric (Update)

(GMM) Former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel says he is not in favor of banning petrol cars [like some of his wackadoodle fellow environmentalists].

Some of his fellow environmentalists are pushing hard for restrictions on things like plane and car travel in the name of climate change.

Vettel, 35, agrees that some aspects of life must change going forwards.

“Without wanting to restrict freedom, do you have to fly to New York for three days?” he said. “Yes, there are actually people for whom this is necessary. But just for fun?

“I’m the last person who wants to ban anyone from anything. But you also have to be aware of the bigger picture and know how many people are already suffering from climate change.”

The German, who is in his first year of post-F1 life, admits that one of his hobbies is riding petrol-powered motorbikes.

“That still gives me a lot of pleasure,” he said. “On the other hand, I understand people who see the climate catastrophe as an existential threat to themselves.

“Again, I think it’s important not to talk about bans, but to emphasize the alternatives. Motorbikes can be operated with synthetic fuels.”

Vettel also operates some old F1 cars that run on sustainable fuel.

“I’m not a fan of biofuels,” he admitted. “Land is used to grow fodder to produce fuel – not so great. We can do better.

“But cars and motorcycles are cultural assets. A lot of good has come of it. We should not abolish them, but keep them alive.”

Another way things can improve, Vettel said, is for cities to become “more liveable”.

“If I imagine that public transport will be more fluid, like rail being better than it is today, then the question of car or plane may no longer arise.

“As soon as the offer is right, the majority will go along with it. Many lack the vision of improvement. Change scares them at first. It takes imagination.”

The sports #1 tree-hugger, Sebastian Vettel, admits that Formula 1 can never become an all-electric series like Formula E.

In a recent interview with The Red Bulletin, the retired driver revealed that he does not see how fully electric Formula One cars will work.

“F1 has always been at the forefront of technology. The current question is how relevant the very complex and impressive current technology is for streetcars.

“More could be done on this. However, electric power units will not be suitable for F1 in the foreseeable future,” says Vettel.

“For that, the races take too long and the power required is too high. Weight always plays a big role in F1, another reason why electric driving is impractical.

“Synthetic fuels are therefore indispensable in the short term. It is good that this will happen from 2026, however, now would be better,” continued Vettel.

“It is even more important to get overall emissions under control: how do the teams get to the track? Of course, it would be super if everyone came by bike. It would take a lot more to get the calendar right [in terms of regionalization].

“Flying all over the world and flying to Europe for a few days in between obviously makes no sense and is no fun.”

Vettel then suggests that fans do not drive their cars to see races.

“How do fans get to the track? What is consumed [how much fuel] there?”

There is another reason F1 can never become all-electric.

When the FIA created the Formula E series, it gave them exclusive rights to be the only single-seat open wheel all-electric series in the world.