Vettel races F1 into Hungarian political storm with t-shirt
Aug.3 - Formula 1 has found itself at the centre of a political storm in Hungary.
Quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel was reprimanded after Sunday's Hungarian GP for having worn a rainbow-coloured, LGBT-themed t-shirt declaring 'Same Love' during the national anthem.
The Aston Martin driver, however, was defiant, warning that he is prepared to "do it again" as a protest against laws like the so-called child protection act in Hungary that bans LGBT-themed teaching in schools.
He told Sky Deutschland he is even open to auctioning the offending t-shirt.
"We can talk about that," said Vettel, 33.
"We have to make sure we find the right format so that we can get as much out of it as possible. And I'm absolutely willing to do the same thing again."
Although Lewis Hamilton had removed his political-themed t-shirt before the national anthem as per F1's rules, he said he is "super proud" of Vettel for pushing the boundaries.
"There is no rule that says what colour shirt you can wear and supporting the LGBTQ community is not reprimandable," said the seven time world champion on social media.
"This is BS. Well done, Seb. I'll join you next time with the same shirt."
However, F1 race director Michael Masi clarified that Vettel's t-shirt was indeed a clear breach of the rules.
"Earlier this year, after internal discussions with the FIA and Formula 1, we made it clear that during the national anthem of the country, the drivers must wear only their racing overalls," he said.
"This is the first time this has happened."
And now it is becoming clear why Formula 1 made such a move - to avoid the sort of political storm that is now brewing as a consequence.
For instance, Tamas Deutsch, a European parliamentarian for the ruling Hungarian party Fidesz, likened Vettel's allegiance to the left-wing movement to the Nazis.
"The Germans have always been good at using politically correct symbolism at sporting events in accordance with current trends," he wrote on social media along with a photo of the Nazi salute during the 1936 Olympics.
"Everything is subtle, cultural, European. Those who know will understand."
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Ohhhh dear getting political now, get Kofi Annan , on the phone , oops no need to Lewis here , hell sort it out, i expect Mrs Merkel will be texting Seb and saying now behave properly, where as blundering Boris will do sod all lol
But Vetter is smart clarifying why he was wearing the t shirt, he has 3 kids , lewis not so, he has a gay dog (allegedly )
Theres an easy way to stop this , just dont have the national anthem piped out , which other sports have this outmoded and quite silly tradition .
Speaking of Boris, we were speaking of Boris, right? He might want to call the Brit diver at the Olympics (he's good, he won a medal) who was photo'd in the stands knitting a cozy for his medal. Maybe a word about British manliness? These Euro/Brit athletes are getting a bit too effeminate, don't ya' think? Imagine Nige holding a beer, with a Marlboro hanging from his stashed lips admiring his WDC trophy cuddled in a cozy. LOL
Ah how the world of manliness has changed, thats y he shaved off his tash off you know , kept burning it on his smokes ., i must admit i hadnt seen tom daley doing that but , guess he was missing his husband in uk, yes his husband ....
I dont know about general manliness but i remember being in Germany in the 80s , the women had more leg and under arm hair than us squaddies , quite frightening lol
Then there's Boy George tearing up over getting a couple points for Williams, or was it because Latifi had beaten him? And Sir Lewis?, well you get the idea. I don't know, I think that you Brits have gone a bit too far with this woke thing. lmao Sorry, couldn't resist. Summer break sucks.
GR was crying because he'd just had a txt from Toto, saying not next yr but we love you, and as for lewis eighth/quarter/half fainting, either do it properly like Nige did and push your car over the line or not at all, they your entitled to faint ...bloody wimps
I dunno, girls eh ...
you wont be so cocky now georgy,mr saturday my ass
i had never heard the word woke, but after reading about it , it can mean anything you like , and using it for a hundred different things, as a defense as an attack about something you believe in , or don't believe in etc etc etc, life's complicated enough, i think for me , ill not bother with the word woke, and just top up on the sarcasm and humour when i comment .
Guys, don't bring Boris into this. His Turkish grandfather is turning in his grave!
Interesting Turkish fact of the day, oh i do love a Kebab ..
Nearly 60 years after the first Turkish guest workers arrived in the country, 3.4% of the nation's population has Turkish roots. A study released in 2017 found that the number of Germans with foreign backgrounds reached a new high, at 18.6 million — or about 1 in every 5 Germans.
I see the chuckle brothers are working over time
I think Vettel is to be commended. Anyone who sticks their thumb in the eye of a tyrant like Orban has my respect. Well done!