Vettel: 'A gay driver would help speed up the elimination of prejudice'

Sebastian Vettel believes that Formula 1 is ready for a first gay driver. The German has long been committed to the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and during Pride Month he conducted an interview with Attitude.

Vettel has been fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community for some time. He says in conversation with Attitude that he has sometimes indirectly heard people talk negatively about LGBTQ+ people. "Whenever I heard those things being said in the past it always felt wrong, but today I’m more confident to speak up and shut them down. Homophobia is prejudice, and prejudice is wrong. It really is as simple as that," says the Aston Martin driver.

Vettel welcomes everyone with open arms

In its more than 70-year history, Formula 1 has never had an openly gay driver, but according to Vettel an openly gay driver would currently be welcomed with open arms in F1. In doing so, he does admit that this may not have always been the case in the past.

"I feel that a gay driver would help to speed up the elimination of prejudice and help push our sport in a better direction," Vettel continued. As far as Vettel himself knows, no former drivers have openly come out as being gay. However, the four-time world champion does think there must have been some.

Formula 1 and Pride Month

Vettel can often be seen on the track wearing clothing where the rainbow flag is visible. Lewis Hamilton is one of the other drivers committed to the LGBTQ+ community. Hamilton's team, Mercedes, announced earlier on Wednesday that it will drive with a rainbow logo on its car in June.