After the Formula 1 race in Miami, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel appeared on the “BBC” talk show “Question Time”, where he spoke, among other things, about environmental protection issues, but also about British domestic politics.
When he was asked about the TV appearance at an FIA press conference and asked why he didn’t take the opportunity to publicly advertise the world’s most efficient engine, the Formula 1 hybrid engine, the German launched his criticism.
“The question is what the so-called most efficient engines in the world bring to the people who commute to work every day or wherever? Where does this engine help and what use does it have? That is very questionable,” complains Vettel.
Formula 1 hybrid engine has only recently been praised
“It’s very complex and it’s fascinating technology. As a fan and from a technical point of view, of course, it’s fascinating. But how much of that can you transfer to the road? Apart from being able to put a hybrid powertrain in the car? Not much .”
Especially in the first few years of the new engine regulations, Formula 1 itself failed to advertise the astonishing efficiency of the hybrid engine in the media.
Only since November of last year has Formula 1 been advertising with the slogan: “The most efficient engine in the world, with a hybrid drive since 2014” next to the normal Formula 1 logo.
Before that, the hybrid drive was mostly criticized, mainly because of its sound, which no longer comes close to the sound of the screeching engines of the past. Vettel was also one of the critics for a long time, with quotes like: Batteries should be put where they belong, namely in the remote control. However, over the years he has changed his mind.
Sebastian Vettel: “We’re in deep shit!”
“So you have to be honest and tell the truth,” continues Vettel. “Looking ahead, Formula 1 will now be dependent on this engine for a while. But the questions to ask are: is that enough? And are we doing enough?”
“If you consider how badly we’re in the shit, where the world is going, and if you look at the climate crisis and the collapse, then the answer is that we’re not doing enough,” analyzes Vettel.
“We’re also in the spotlight as a gas-guzzling sport, so we need to do more than what we’re doing right now,” he says. “I don’t think there’s too much we can do. That’s the answer.”