Inside Story: Hulkenberg's Decision Against Joining Vettel's Cause
Nov.13 - Only one of the 20 Formula 1 drivers opted out of Sebastian Vettel's latest environmental initiative in Brazil: Nico Hulkenberg.
The four-time world champion returned to the Sao Paulo paddock last weekend to promote rainforest protection, setting up a stand where drivers, team bosses and guests were invited to draw a tree as part of his awareness campaign.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, everyone supported the idea - except fellow German Hulkenberg.
The Sauber driver, who at 38 is also the same age as his retired countryman, personally informed Vettel that he would not take part, citing focus and routine during an intense Grand Prix weekend.
There was no animosity behind the decision, the magazine added, and Vettel himself made it clear he took no offence.
Vettel did, however, highlight the lack of public activism among most drivers - singling out one exception.
"Lewis is the only driver on the grid who speaks out publicly on certain issues," he said. "We have a close relationship and exchange ideas regularly."
He admitted some regret about not embracing such advocacy earlier in his career.
"If there's anything I regret, it's realising too late that you can inspire people with issues close to your heart," he said. "Maybe drivers should listen more to that inner voice."
19 F1 Fan comments on “Inside Story: Hulkenberg's Decision Against Joining Vettel's Cause”
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I don't particularly care what F1 drivers or anyone else thinks about something. Lecturing or brow beating others is annoying, and even more so from someone who is ill-informed.
Learning is not Lecturing climate change is arguably the most important issue on this planet you might ignore it but it's still happening and getting worse why shouldn't Seb teach people how important it is and in terms of Ill informed Seb has done so much research both from reading and seeing perspectives he's shown that we as a world can do better without negatives
I haven't stated my position, yet you assume you know it. You don't. Vettel has done better getting his point across than Hamilton, but I think he's still lost people in some instances, like when he criticised the Italian president for wanting a flyby before the 2022 Italian GP. Quote from Vettel:
"I mean, he’s about 100 years old, so maybe it’s difficult for him to let go of these kind of ego things."
This is pure ignorance and doesn't help his cause. I care about the environment and cycle a lot. One of Vettel's other blind spots is that he does not balance the policies he promotes. As important as the environment is, he seems ignorant of potential military threats from hostile countries. I suggest that following his suggestions could lead to a country like Germany scuppering its industry and military to such an extent that it is invaded and its conqueror will not care about the environment.
I think where Vettel has done a good job is promoting alternative fuels. That's more fun and positive than criticising Canada's oil industry. Yes - import it from the Middle East or Russia instead...
Going back to what I said about lecturing and brow-beating from the ill-informed, Vettel said that more drivers should use their voice to talk about things other than F1. Well, the only one doing it at the moment is Lewis and he's almost always wrong about everything. Talks about "equality", but is discriminatory against old people; sees no irony in the contradiction. He echoes grievance pedlars and there is little insight in his statements. Hamilton is a useful idiot for radical political movements. I think drivers can do something useful and positive, but overt lecturing is less likely to be useful.
I watched some of Jimmy Broadbent's fundraiser for mental health recently. It was a sim race held last year where people could donate to give penalties to different drivers. Max was there. I wasn't aware he'd done this. He wasn't front and centre, but it was nice to see him there. There are no hard and fast rules for effective advocacy, but I think it's easier to get it right with a gentle hand. If an F1 driver is lecturing me about Gaza there's a bit of a gap between his area of definite expertise and that of anyone who's had their eye on the situation over there for a very long time.
Sounds like you’re lecturing and browbeating.lighten up, life’s to short.
be a bit more like me , a complete neutral you mean
That’s the spirit, just like the BBC.
"Only one of the 20 Formula 1 drivers took part in his latest environmental initiative in Brazil - with only Nico Hulkenberg opting out." ???
Well spotted
The climate has changed since the planet began and will continue to do so whatever we do. Just an excuse for more taxes and control.
Maybe should have read -All but one not only one. Maybe Victor can clarify . predictive text?
Seem to have got that in the wrong place!
On climate change I agree but the population has grown from 1billion to 8 billion in the last 200 yrs and we are a filthy lot. Electric cars won’t make much if any difference in the overall scheme of things.Coal and oil still drive the industry that makes them and everything else and a piddling little country like the uk past its peak will make no difference at all.
China's annual coal consumption is over 4 billion tons, reaching approximately 4.3 billion tons in 2023 and projected to be around 4.9 billion tons in 2024. This figure represents about 50% of the world's total coal consumption, making it the world's leading consumer of coal
Britain's coal consumption peaked at its peak in 1913 and 1952. In 1913, coal production reached its highest point at 292 million tonnes. In 1952, coal consumption peaked at 228 million tonnes, and its use in the 1950s, with its peak use in power generation and industry, contributed to severe air pollution in the form of "pea soup" smogs in cities like London
Im just off to buy one of those fake range rovers everyones on about, I will save the planet...!
Like any other figures, drivers should know how to use their public power. However i won't be interested to leave any comments to that...
Pfff, politics don't belong in F1. Just STFU & race!
Go protest at city hall or somewhere else the governments are debating about things they don't understand and taxpayers have to solve.
Yea who put that article in any way. Vettels not even a F1 driver, who let him in Leo?
but he and fizzy pop beat the works teams+very established teams, easy to forget that, after only being in f1 for 5yrs, i doth my cap still to them
Yes quite but that’s not what the article is about. The article is about politics and as Leo says “Pfff, politics don't belong in F1. Just STFU & race!”
It wasn't me...hahaha