Vettel: Motorsport must 'think of alternatives' to continue into future

Sebastian Vettel believes that motorsport as a whole must "think of alternatives" to regular combustion engines to continue into the future.

The German, who retired from F1 at the end of the 2022 season, recently took part in the 2023 Race of Champions in Sweden.

The yearly event that gathers some of the best drivers in motorsport to go head-to-head showcased a mix of electric, regular combustion, and cars using fossil-free biofuels.

"I love motorsport and I'm very mindful when it comes to the future," Vettel told media.

"You have young drivers, I have kids as well, and I think it's been a real privilege to go through motorsport the way I have. It would be a shame if one day it has to be banned for obvious reasons. This event is a great event, a fun event, and we're all having the best time.

"But it's great to see that Frederik [Johnsson, President of Race of Champions] and the whole team is thinking about how to have fun in a more responsible way. Thinking of different cars, but also everything that comes with setting up such a big event."

Vettel: Great to see people thinking about environmental impact

Motorsport can often become a testbed for new technologies which can shape our day-to-day lives.

Vettel says that it is important for people to think of these alternatives if "we want to continue to practice our sport" and to get ahead of the environmental issues that face the world.

He added: "I think that's important and inevitable for the future, if we want to continue to practice our sport and live our passion in racing, then I think we have to think of alternatives.

"Otherwise, we may continue the way we used to for another couple of years before we are really ahead of, or we're really facing a big problem. So it's great to see that people are thinking about it.

"Obviously it depends on the type of racing, but there is movement, there [are] people that are thinking about it and thinking of a better or more sustainable future."