Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Clear criticism of Formula 1
Vettel calls for a fight for homosexuals
Sebastian Vettel finds uniformity boring – and therefore calls on Formula 1 to stand up more for the rights of homosexual people. Even if that means canceling a lucrative race or not even planning it in the first place.
Ex-world champion Sebastian Vettel wants Formula 1 to do more for the rights of homosexuals. “We all agree that it is only fair to treat all people equally. In certain countries this is not the case. But it takes more than just words, it takes action,” said the Aston Martin driver in an interview with the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. The 34-year-old is convinced that “our sport can exert a lot of pressure and help” to “further spread fairness on earth.”
This year, Formula 1 is making its first stop in Saudi Arabia. There homosexuality is socially taboo and punished with imprisonment or even the death penalty. Vettel and Co. also drive in Hungary, where a controversial law to restrict information about homosexual and transsexuality recently came into force. Qatar was recently added to the racing calendar for the current season for a short time, and homosexuality is also a criminal offense in the country where the host of the 2022 World Cup will be held.
There are situations “in which those responsible have to ask themselves whether they have a moral. Maybe you have to say no to a big deal,” said Vettel. It is “not right to judge or punish people just because a man loves a man or a woman loves a woman. Any form of separation is wrong. We are much richer because we are so different.”
Imagine “if we were all the same. We wouldn’t make any progress,” said Vettel: “We can compare that to Formula 1: If all cars looked the same, it would be boring. We have the different colors, shapes or specifications made progress on the car. We humans are also different. We should celebrate these differences instead of being afraid of them. “