Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel wouldn't mind gay driver
Many members of the community might agree: The world of sports could use more tolerant drivers like Sebastian Vettel. The racing driver hit the bull's eye with his latest statement. The four-time world champion has often shown his openness and tolerance towards the queer community.
As recently as 2021, Vettel wore both a mouthguard in rainbow colors and a top in the same style with the words "Same Love" on it at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The feedback he received for this was not entirely positive. Especially in Hungary itself, people were bothered by his statement at the time. But: Exactly that does not seem to stop him from carrying his message further into the world.
Sebastian Vettel recently made it clear that he wouldn't mind racing against a homosexual opponent. Moreover, he would only see advantages in having a gay racing driver in Formula 1.
"Gay Formula 1 driver [would be] welcome".
In an interview with a British LGBTQIA+ magazine, Vettel commented on the topic of homosexuality and Formula One, saying he was sure that "[...] a gay Formula One driver would be welcome - and rightly so." Moreover, he speaks of some advantages if a homosexual driver would compete.
Vettel has often been an active supporter of the queer community, wearing a rainbow helmet and shoes in the colors of the rainbow in solidarity. In Vettel's opinion, a gay representative in Formula 1 could be helpful in integrating the LGBTQIA+ community. He said he was sure that prejudices would thus be eliminated and the sport could thus be taken in a better direction. He concluded the interview by saying, "So I think and hope that our sport would be ready for such a driver."
But the Aston Martin driver is not only professionally tolerant of the queer community. Among other things, he also emphasized that his children could also come out to him at any time. He would give them all the support they need, he explains.
Officially still no homosexual colleagues in Formula 1
In the interview, Sebastian Vettel also talks about his fellow drivers and generally about those who have driven Formula 1 races in the past. He explained that he felt it was a shame that no active or former Formula 1 driver had yet dared to come out of the closet. He does not want to accuse anyone of anything, but he cannot imagine that all important participants are or were heterosexual.
But he goes on to stress that he can at least see a positive development in the area of tolerance towards LGBTQIA+ people. However, he says there is still a lot of work to be done. Not only when it comes to supporting the community, but also in terms of supporting women, people of color, people with disabilities and so on."
Why is nobody in Formula 1 actually gay? (at least officially)
A look at the history of the sport shows: So far, no one who plays a public, leading role in Formula 1 has come out publicly as homosexual.
Instead, the general opinion seems to prevail here - especially with regard to the drivers - that someone who races around the track at more than 300 km/h must be a "real man.
Vettel commented, "[...] It takes enormous courage to show your true self instead of hiding behind a facade based on what people expect."
Accordingly, coming out as a Formula 1 driver would certainly be more courageous than many might think at first glance.