Canadian Grand Prix – Sebastian Vettel, who wore a helmet against « climate crimes », is he a hypocrite?

« It’s a crime because we cut down a lot of trees and we destroy the place to extract oilunderlined the quadruple world champion. The way you do it with the oil sands is horrible for nature. And, of course, greenhouse gases have increased in Canada. […] Each individual has their own opinion. Mine is this. […] We live in a time when we know that this sort of thing should no longer be allowed. So I think we need to make people aware of what is going on. »

Vettel is used to

« A racing driver, sponsored by Aston Martin, with funding from Saudi Aramco, complains about tar sandsresponded Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage on Twitter. Saudi Aramco […] is reputed to be the biggest contributor to global carbon emissions of any company since 1965. Rather than demonizing the oil sands, which are on the path to carbon neutrality, people could seek to reduce their own carbon footprint. Maybe a pedal car for Formula 1?“And boom, in the conk.

« I’ve seen a lot of hypocrisy over the years, but this one really is the icing on the cake« , also wrote the leader. By force, the German is a regular. He had already been called a hypocrite in Miami, after wearing a t-shirt on which the message appeared « act now or swim later » (« act now or swim later« , but also on the set of the BBC last month, after speaking out on the need for renewable energy as it « practice one of the most fuel-intensive sports in the world“, said the presenter of the show – which, by the way, is not entirely true.

No matter, since his response was the same each time. « Yes, I’m a hypocritehe had, for example, retorted on the set of the BBC, in front of an audience who had somewhat laughed at him once the question was asked of him. You [son interlocutrice] and you [le public] you are right to laugh. »

Quadruple world champion, the German has actually considered retiring. For this reason and many others. « Driving in F1 is my passionhe added. But when I step out of my car, I also wonder if traveling the world and consuming resources is something we really need to do.. » Audience applause.

Not a healthy one…so what?

However, is Vettel really a hypocrite? In other words, should you change your life or, even more extreme, reduce your carbon footprint to zero – which is perfectly impossible – to defend ecological values? The answer seems obvious. However, it is not for everyone.

« I’m no saint but I’m concerned about the future« , specified the Heppenheim driver. He is also and above all in his place, since his fight for the environment would never have been so strong if he had decided to put away his helmet or, worse, s he had never been a Formula 1 driver. The fight for ecology goes through two things: awareness and action.

It is precisely because his t-shirts challenge the highest officials that the actions taken by Vettel within the paddock are legitimate. Too bad for those who prefer to question his sincerity, without acknowledging his speech in favor of a less energy-consuming F1 calendar, or his time spent in the stands after the races to help volunteers pick up the waste.

« There are things I can do betterhe assured. Do I have to fly to each Grand Prix? No, if I can take a car. But there’s some things I control and some things I can’t control. » Like the judgment of others: « I am disappointed that politicians dwell on my personal case. The important thing is not me. But the overall situation. »