Sebastian Vettel raises fresh F1 concern: 'I really don’t understand that'

Sebastian Vettel has spoken out about the upcoming F1 regulations changes, pinpointing one area he cannot comprehend.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion is a keen advocate for social and environmental issues, famously appearing on British political panel show Question Time in 2022, the final year of his racing career.

With F1's looming overhaul of the rulebook set to make further strides in sustainability, with the use of more electrical power (50 percent up from 15 at the moment) and carbon-neutral fuel, there is a lot to endorse for the 38-year-old.

Looking ahead at the next generation of F1 cars, and the green credentials of the new power units, Red Bull's first title winner reflected on the start of the current hybrid era.

"The 2014 regulations were good in terms of the design, the idea behind them was right, but the execution was just not good," Vettel told Auto, Motor und Sport. "It cost a lot of money, but brought nothing else to the sport.

"We are now moving away again from the innovative solutions of the previous regulations in order to make things cheaper.

"That should then attract new manufacturers. The electric component is also generally fine and also necessary as far as mobility is concerned."

However, the 53-time grand prix winner also recognises that road cars have overtaken F1 over the past decade. 

And whilst that is ultimately a positive, with many rules in the championship written with crossover and transferable use, Vettel's remarks highlight how the series is starting to be left behind on that front.

"But with road cars, we are already so much further along, with 100 percent electromobility, because of that unbeatable efficiency," he added.

Nonetheless, the German does not believe F1 should follow in the footsteps of Formula E and go down the all-electric route.

"Motorsport has other requirements," he explained. "The 24 Hours of Le Mans, for example, is very different from Formula 1, or other junior classes, for example. But it won't work with an all-electric drive in any case."

Vettel addressed a specific area of the new regulations F1 is ushering in over the winter, questioning what he feels is a half-measure in how the cars will recover energy, which can then be deployed by the power unit. 

"I'm not convinced yet," he said of the 2026 rules. "Being able to recover energy is great, but to do that only on the rear axle and completely ignore the front.... I really don't understand that."