Former Formula 1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck is not impressed by Sebastian Vettel’s activism, telling his compatriot that he should stick to his day job.
In recent years, Vettel has pushed for ecological awareness, social justice and equality, transcending his position as an F1 driver and a four-time world champion.
The 35-year-old has been involved in multiple causes, including building a bee hotel in Austria last year, protesting Hungary’s anti-LGBT laws, and holding an all-women karting event in Saudi Arabia.
Vettel is doing a lot to help with causes greater than the pinnacle of motorsport, and he has not been doing too badly on track either, managing four points finishes in an underperforming Aston Martin this season.
Stuck, who scored two podiums in Brabham in 1977, does not appear to agree with Vettel’s push to make the world a better place.
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“He can drive a car and he belongs in Formula 1, there’s no discussion about that,” he said.
“And when he’s in the car, he can’t talk either.
“He still drives well, but otherwise he just talks nonsense.
“He is completely wrong in his statements, he should give gas and be quiet.
“I don’t know what he’s doing because he’s an intelligent young man, a good racing driver, but I don’t understand why he keeps up with these themes.”
Stuck went on to speak about Ferrari, who suffered another nightmare in Silverstone last weekend as Charles Leclerc was denied victory when the pit wall left him out under a late Safety Car.
While Carlos Sainz won the race, a one-two was very much on the cards for the Scuderia, and a crucial haemorrhaging of points for Leclerc in the championship will, in the 71-year-old’s mind, be putting team principal Mattia Binotto under pressure.
“I wonder how long Mattia Binotto will last at Ferrari,” pondered Stuck.
READ: Aston Martin comment on Vettel’s future as Saudi sponsor opposed to his activism
“After all, he is the leader and should be responsible for the decisions.
“On the other hand, there were always periods at Ferrari when mistakes like this were made.
“I’m happy for Carlos Sainz and his first victory, but poor Charles Leclerc must be getting sick of it by now, but this is Ferrari.”
54 points cover first-placed Max Verstappen and fourth-placed Sainz in the Drivers’ Standings with 12 rounds to go this year, while Red Bull lead Ferrari by 63 points after Sergio Perez finished second and Verstappen seventh in Silverstone – both of them suffering damage during the race.
Therefore, Stuck affirms that the title battle is not over just yet.
“There is still plenty of time for them to work on it; they still have what it takes to win the title,” he added.
Sainz’s win was his first-ever in the pinnacle of motorsport after claiming his maiden pole on Saturday, and he became the 112th different winner in F1’s history.