Diversity and tolerance are a matter close to Sebastian Vettel’s heart, which is why he is a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community – In Formula 1 he sees a need to catch up
Not only since yesterday has Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel been campaigning for the rights of homosexuals. Time and again he wears the rainbow flag – sign of the LGBTQ movement – on his clothes and helmet. Now the 34-year-old is making a statement again, on the cover of the gay magazine ‘Attitude’.
In an interview with the paper, the German reveals that he believes an openly gay driver is no longer a problem in Formula 1 these days: “Yes, I think so. Maybe in the past that wouldn’t have been the case, but now I think a gay Formula One driver would be welcome – and rightly so.”
He himself had indirectly experienced homophobia within the sport on many occasions. “I’ve heard people say negative things about LGBTQ people and the LGBTQ community,” Vettel says, admitting, “When I’ve heard things like that in the past, it always felt wrong. “
“But today I am more confident to speak out and stand up against it,” he continues. “Homophobia is prejudice, and prejudice is wrong. It’s as simple as that. “
Vettel: Formula is about progress
A driver coming out about his homosexuality would help speed up the elimination of prejudice and steer the sport in a better direction, Vettel believes. That’s why the 34-year-old advocates an open approach to it, which he sees as part of the general progress.
“Formula 1 is a very popular sport all over the world. It has to do with something that many people do every day or, if they don’t drive themselves, at least have to do with it regularly: Driving a car – or being driven in a car.”
“Although driving is dynamic in itself, I am sorry to say that some members of the motoring community, if I may call them that, are nevertheless very slow – almost static – when it comes to progress,” Vettel explains.
“But progress is inevitable. Cars have changed and will continue to change – for the better. And drivers have also changed and will continue to change – also for the better. So I have hope, and that’s why I would absolutely welcome a gay Formula One driver. And as I said, I think and hope that our sport would be ready for one. “
When asked if he knew of any former or current Formula One drivers who are or have been gay but have not come out, the German said, “No, but I’m pretty sure there have been some. I don’t think I would know about them because they never came out, which is a shame. “
Prejudices about masculinity are outdated
As to the reasons, Vettel can only speculate. “I would hope that there aren’t any at the moment, but I’m probably not the best person to judge,” the Formula One driver admits.
“The reasons could be similar to those in a sport like football: the old image of a player or driver as a ‘hero’ who has to meet certain criteria. But the assessment criteria are often simply wrong. Who set them up in the first place? Who decided it?” the German wonders.
Stereotypes such as “men don’t cry” or “don’t show weakness”, which are served again and again, have nothing to do with their performance, he emphasises. “Why does our society still shame someone who admits weakness or acknowledges failure? In my opinion, the opposite should be true.”
“It takes enormous courage to show the real you instead of hiding behind a façade based on what people expect of you. We should start to see and understand that it is the diversity of people that has developed us and taken us to new heights,” said Vettel.