Sebastian Vettel says Formula 1 still has the technology to blend sustainability goals with an engaging on‑track product.
From V12s to Hybrid Hardship
Despite his love for the series’ heritage, Vettel once called turbo‑hybrids “dulled” and cautioned that their complexity hurt the racing experience. He famously shouted over the team radio at the 2019 Russian Grand Prix: “bring back the f‑c‑ing V12s” after a Ferrari‑powered failure.
Re‑igniting the V10 Legacy
At the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, Vettel revived a 2002 Ferrari F1 car driven by Michael Schumacher, a roaring V10, to demonstrate how past engineering still defines performance, discipline and discipline. “If you look at Formula 1 today, it still stands for precision and responsibility,” he said. He sees the old‑school machine as a touchstone for modern sustainability.
Sustainable Fuels and a V8 Future
Vettel, a long‑time supporter of synthetic and e‑fuels, welcomed the series’ recent shift to advanced sustainable fuels, noting that the timing was just outside his racing days. He predicts a return to louder V8s by 2030‑31 and stresses that “sustainable fuels are the step forward.” He believes the technology required for street‑level use must be responsibly selected, yet still holds vast potential for the sport.
Beyond the Track
Having retired from F1 competition after the 2022 season, Vettel still keeps racing fire alive through participation at the Race of Champions, most recently competing in ROC New Zealand. He continues to champion F1’s role as a platform for innovation, urging the sport to be “a half‑teach, a half‑serve” for the future of racing.
Re‑uniting the roar of a V12 and the promise of e‑fuels may just define the next chapter in Formula 1, Vettel believes.
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