Sebastian Vettel between past, present and future of F1
He got behind the wheel of the legendary F2002 of Michael Schumacher to remember the friend-mentor and participate in the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of his arrival at Ferrari and his first victory at Monza. A moment of great emotion for Sebastian Vettel who, driving a car from a racing past now seen with some nostalgia by many fans, had the opportunity to make a comparison with the “his” era of Formula 1. And also with today’s, with the “super-hybrid” engines that spark so much debate among fans. The four-time world champion, however, does not join the chorus of former drivers (and also not-quite-former) who criticize racing but, on the contrary, identifies in the GPs the usual and historic innovative and driving component for automotive industry technology.
Read more Leclerc, the power unit and the chassis are ok
Add FormulaPassion to your Favorite Sources on Google
The appreciation for F1 2026
“I think racing today is exciting – explains Sebastian Vettel in the Monza paddock speaking with some newspapers including us at FormulaPassion.it – but I understand the question and I think that is exactly why it is so exciting. There is a lot to delve into when talking about Formula 1 even if, obviously, a driver just wants to drive the best car and win races. But what is the best car? The F2002 was cutting-edge for those times, a pioneer, and significantly represents what F1 embodies. But today’s cars do the same. And I think it’s about performance, precision, discipline, hard work, but also responsibility and knowing how to carry all this forward. So also caring about the future, which these cars are trying to do”.
However, Vettel admits that not all aspects of the new rules are to be promoted: “Probably I don’t agree with everything currently provided by the regulations, especially in terms of driving. But, looking to the future, I think that is exactly where there is a huge opportunity to engage people, perhaps also remembering what this sport was, what it is and what it should be and could be in the future. But it must be done responsibly and one thing must not exclude the other. We have to find a way, because there is no one-size-fits-all solution and there is nothing that, once applied, solves all problems at once”.
Support for sustainable fuels
The reference is therefore to the new sustainable fuels of which Vettel has long been a passionate supporter, so much so that he often performs at various events under the banner “Race without trace” (“Race without leaving a trace”) with the cars of Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell he purchased and now powered by e-fuel. And which today indicate that bringing back less sophisticated engines with a lower hybrid component to the track is possible: “Sustainable fuels represent a step forward when looking at Formula 1 and motor racing. There is huge potential, not only for F1 but also to inspire other categories and, then, also to shape the next generation of road cars”.
“There is great potential to do it responsibly, because some solutions, as incredible as they are technologically, might not be transferable to the roads. But I believe there is also a responsibility to do so, because Formula 1 has many great values that have shaped and inspired me in my life and that touch the hearts of many people around the world. And it has the power to do so in many other significant and impactful areas”, concluded Sebastian Vettel.
Read more Drivers and Constructors Standings after the 6 Hours of COTA
