Sebastian Vettel will be the first active Formula One driver to feature on Thursday’s edition of Question Time, where he will be “pretty open” to engage in a wide range of topics.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has expressed his excitement for an “interesting opportunity” as he is set to appear on BBC One’s Question Time on Thursday this week.
The Aston Martin driver will be the first active Formula 1 driver to feature on the debate, which will air at 10.40 p.m. on Thursday. The 34-year old has gained notoriety over the course of his 15-year career for his willingness to speak out on important issues.
During the inaugural Miami Grand Prix held last weekend, the German wore a t-shirt that read, “Miami 2060, 1st grand prix under water, act now or swim later.” The phrase alluded to the climate change discussion as well as the environmental impact of motorsport.
Vettel has advocated for alternative environmental conservation measures, LGBTQ+ rights, and other causes in addition to raising awareness about rising sea levels. When he appears on the show with host Fiona Bruce, he doesn’t want to focus on a single issue.
“I don’t know, I’m fairly open, but yeah, I think it’s a difficult… not a difficult, a different format and yeah, looking forward to it. I think there’s a lot I can learn,” Vettel said ahead of the show.
“Obviously, I have my opinion… I’m not saying it’s always right or wrong, but I think it will be interesting because it will be a very different setting and probably different sorts of questions or topics to be spoken about.”
“So yeah, fairly open at this point. And yeah, it really was coincidence, and I think it was an interesting, or it isn’t an interesting opportunity because it’s just different and looking forward to it.”
In an interview with Sky Sports, the former Red Bull and Ferrari driver said he found racing in a city “that will not be here in 50 years” owing to rising sea levels “quite troubling.”
Vettel was also vocal following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as he was the first driver to declare a boycott of the Russian Grand Prix, and this year’s race in Sochi was withdrawn from the Formula 1 race schedule.
The Aston Martin driver who currently ranks 14th in the 2022 championship standings, has also worn rainbow colours in solidarity of the LGBTQ+ community, which was discriminated against in Hungary last year.
The FIA sanctioned him for wearing a rainbow t-shirt with the words “Same Love” during the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021, when the country was voting on an anti-LGBTQ+ referendum.
