Sebastian Vettel's environmental crusade is "commendable," according to his compatriot and fellow world champion Nico Rosberg.
Sebastian Vettel's environmental crusade is "commendable," according to his compatriot and fellow world champion Nico Rosberg.
Vettel has been called a hypocrite for so vehemently defending actions against climate change and other environmental issues while racing in Formula One.
In fact, after speaking out against the "climate crime" of "tar sands mining" recently in Canada, Sonya Savage, Alberta's energy minister, pointed out Vettel's hypocrisy as an F1 driver "with funding from Saudi Aramco."
However, according to Rosberg, Vettel still has the right to speak out on environmental issues despite such accusations.
"I expected it to be impossible to get his messages across to people with credibility, but Sebastian does it with the deepest conviction and I think that's very good," the former Mercedes driver told .
Of course, Rosberg acknowledged the apparent hypocrisy of Vettel's situation.
"Racing involves a conflict. On the one hand, he is emotionally attached to the struggle to support the environment with many actions. On the other hand, he himself contributes to climate change with his travel and fuel burning. And he would like to pursue his passion for a few more years."
"However, I still find it commendable that he is so committed in this area, and it seems authentic. To ask him to give up his passion would be too much. But if he is committed to the fight against climate change and at the same time continue to race, I don't see a problem."