Sebastian Vettel is one of the more progressive F1 drivers and he walked the walk with a pointed outfit ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. Photo / Getty/Twitter
Sebastian Vettel is one of the more progressive F1 drivers and he walked the walk with a pointed outfit ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. Photo / Getty/Twitter
Formula 1 star Sebastian Vettel has gone rogue and made a bold statement ahead of Monday's historic Miami Grand Prix.
Florida will host its first F1 race in 63 years this weekend. For the fifth round of the season, drivers will complete 57 laps around the 5.4km Miami International Autodrome circuit, which features 19 corners and surrounds Hard Rock Stadium.
It will be the 11th venue in the United States to host an F1 race, and 77th overall.
All the talk in the lead up to the race has been about the venue in Miami and motorsport fans couldn't help but giggle at the fake marina, located in the infield section of the track.
It was originally planned for the Miami Grand Prix to take place alongside the city's waterfront, but the track has instead been carved out of the Hard Rock Stadium carpark.
Hoping to recreate a harbour atmosphere, several boats have been towed to the inside of Turn 7, with water-coloured wallpaper replicating the Miami marina.
But Vettel believes the fake water could become very real in just a few decades.
Attending the opening party for the Grand Prix, the four-time world champion used the opportunity to sport an eye-catching outfit to highlight the issue of climate change.
He wore a T-shirt with the message: "Miami 2060. 1st Grand Prix under water. Act now or swim later."
Sebastian Vettel made a statement with this T-shirt. Photo / Getty
The shirt also featured an image of a driver's helmet underwater with a snorkel coming out the side of it, emphasising that Miami is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.
In contrast the other drivers, including Vettel's teammate Lance Stroll, were sporting their designated team shirts with their team sponsors visible.
Vettel, who is one of the more socially and environmentally conscious drivers on the grid, has long been an advocate for action on climate change and has been part of F1's push to become more eco-friendly.
He was one of the first drivers to declare he would boycott the Russian Grand Prix and has worn a helmet in support of Ukraine. Vettel has also called for F1's gruelling 23-race calendar to be reduced.
The 34-year-old was seen mingling with team officials and Haas driver Mick Schumacher at the gathering and his T-shirt was on full display.
Eagle-eyed F1 fans spotted the pointed fashion statement and applauded Vettel for standing up for his values.
This is another man willing to make a stand. Vettelโs T-shirt is ๐๐๐๐ #F1. https://t.co/yWkGjTU8oS
Sebastian Vettel wore a t-shirt warning that Miami could be the first Grand Prix underwater if more isn't done to combat climate change. pic.twitter.com/Vhobc7Sbin
The German has had a tough start to the season so far. He missed the first two races after testing positive to Covid and didn't finish the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Vettel finally got his first points of the year at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where he finished eighth.
