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Vettel to Festival of Speed with historic cars

Vettel gets back into F1 cars eight months after retirement

3 May 2023 at 10:38
Last update 3 May 2023 at 11:14
  • GPblog.com

Sebastian Vettel will get back into a Formula One car this summer in July. Eight months after his last F1 race, the four-time world champion will compete in the Goodwood Festival of Speed, driving historic Formula One cars.

The cars Vettel will drive are from his personal collection. They include the Williams FW14B, with which Nigel Mansell became champion in 1992, and the McLaren MP4/8, used by Ayrton Senna in 1993. In addition, other cars from Vettel's collection will be on display, both cars belonging to himself and other historic cars the German has collected over the course of his career.

Vettel focuses on sustainability

Vettel's main focus during the festival is to promote new methods of keeping motorsport sustainable. As such, the cars Vettel will drive won't run on petrol or diesel, but on sustainable alternative fuel. " I'm a passionate racer, and it's important to me that we continue to enjoy driving iconic racing cars today and in the future, but that we do so in a responsible way," Vettel said in the official announcement . Vettel is not alone in this: over 20 per cent of the cars taking part in the event are electric or run on alternative fuels.

For Vettel, it is the second time he will participate in the festival. In 2012, six months after securing his second world title, he took his championship-winning car to the festival to drive around the grounds with his then teammate Mark Webber. "I have fond memories of Sebastian's first visit to the Festival of Speed ​​in 2012 and am hugely excited to welcome him back to Goodwood," reflects the Duke of Richmond, the event organizer. "His attitude towards sourcing alternative fuels absolutely aligns with our plans across the event and the wider Estate to ensure we are shining a light on this important topic and protect motorsport for the next generation."