Sebastian Vettel fires 'damaging' warning to F1 bosses as icon raises concerns

Sebastian Vettel has once again fired a warning to the Formula One chiefs, bemoaning the upcoming regulation changes. It's hoped the switches will see more competitive racing among the teams, but Vettel isn't convinced.

The FIA outlined the changes in 2024, with the revised aerodynamic regulations set to work in tandem with the new power units rules. It's set to see an increase in battery power, as well as the use of 100 per cent sustainable fuels.

However, Vettel has compared the changes to the introduction of hybrid power units in 2014, which caused skyrocketing costs for teams, but did little to increase the on-track entertainment. The intention was to attract increasingly conscious climate manufacturers, but Vettel isn't convinced it's worked out well.

He told Auto Motor und Sport: "It cost far too much money and did not benefit the series. Innovative solutions from the previous engine regulations are being dispensed with in order to make it less expensive.

"This is intended to attract new manufacturers. The electric component is generally good and is also needed in mobility. However, 100 percent electric mobility is already further advanced on the road due to its unbeatable efficiency."

He added: "I'm not entirely convinced by the new regulations yet. Recovering energy is great, but doing it only on the rear axle and ignoring the front axle doesn't make sense to me."

Vettel continued: "There will be a move away from this transfer and more towards entertainment. We should stick with what we know, but it needs to be done better in terms of the environment. The shoes I buy must be manufactured in a way that does not harm the environment and that production meets fair working conditions.

"The same applies to cars and motorsport events. It would be a shame if motorsport as we know it ceased to exist. It's perfectly normal for it to change. From a sporting perspective, the competition must be as close as possible without damaging the spirit of Formula One. And people must still be able to afford to watch the sport."

When pushed for his opinion on the sustainable fuel switch, the 38-year-old continued: "I think climate-neutral fuels are good because there is a need for them in the world outside motorsport. For the many vehicles that are already on the road. For shipping and aircraft.

"What you have to be careful about is the origin of these fuels. If you unleash the typical Formula 1 development race on them, things can quickly go in the wrong direction, as was the case in 2014. When it comes to fuels, we should close the door by limiting the origin of the molecules and establishing a certain degree of relevance for series production."

The current season is the last before the regulations come into play, with Oscar Piastri currently leading the way at the top of the Drivers' Championship. He tops the charts ahead of McLaren team-mate Lando Norris, with a hefty gap separating the two of them and reigning world champion Max Verstappen in third. Racing resumes in the Netherlands at the end of the month when the drivers return from their summer break.