Sebastian Vettel has warned Formula 1 will need much more than the new 2022 regulations if it is to survive the next decade.
The past year has seen the sport agree to huge changes aimed at improving its sustainability through budget caps, a levelling of revenue distribution and the introduction of new cars designed to promote closer racing.
But while that may help make F1 competitively more appealing, Vettel thinks it has to do a lot more in other areas if it is to continue growing.
“I think it’s a very interesting question,” he said when asked where he expects F1 to be in 10 years time in a media gathering ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
“First of all, I think nobody would have thought, certainly not half a year ago, of the situation that the world is in now.
“It’s a question of what the world is going to be in 10 years? So I think it’s very difficult from that to look at Formula 1 only.
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“I think, from my point of view, Formula 1 has a huge mountain to climb in order to still exist and still, you know, attract the fans and share emotions and passion.
“The world is changing, the world is changing very fast and I think Formula 1 has to more than adapt.
“I know that obviously there’s the regulation change coming [in 2022] but I doubt that it will be enough.
“I think on a bigger picture Formula 1, has to do more than just change the regulations. We all hope that the regulation change for the sport will bring the teams closer together and will make the competition on track closer.
“But apart from that, I think the world, as I said, is moving fast and the world will face more and more big topics to fight.
“F1 cannot remain silent and close its eyes. So it will be actually I think very interesting to see where we are in 10 years and where Formula 1 is.”
As for his own future, the speculation linking him to Aston Martin in 2021 has suddenly gone rather subdued, with Sergio Perez now sounding more confident of keeping his seat.
With options elsewhere also drying up, it does again raise the prospect of whether the 33-year-old could race in another series next year.
“For now, I am focused on Formula 1, and like I’ve said before, I’ve not checked alternatives in this regard,” he said in Belgium.
Another possibility, though perhaps still a few years away, would be to see Sebastian swap the cockpit for the pitwall in a management role.
“I heard that Formula 1 teams can be quite expensive, so I think I need to be smart on that,” quipped Vettel. “I don’t know, I don’t think I can give you an exact answer. It depends on the exact position and on the challenge.
“Obviously I have a great passion and a great knowledge of the sport, so time will tell. But for now, I see myself more in the car than outside of the car.”
