Doesn’t matter who you fall in love with: F1 driver Sebastian Vettel on LGBTQ

F1 driver Sebastian Vettel before the thrilling Hungarian Grand Prix made headlines around the world. During the pre-race national anthem ceremony, he donned a Pride shirt in protest against the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation brought in by Hungary’s government.

Talking about his stand, the four-time world champion explained why did he sport the shirt and hopes that it makes a difference.

Vettel’s Pride T-shirt bore the message: ‘Same Love’.

“It’s the name of a beautiful song by Macklemore, and I think it explains in a nice way some of the wrong perceptions people have,” Vettel says.

“It doesn’t matter your skin colour, it doesn’t matter your background, it doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter who you fall in love with. In the end, you just want equal treatment for everybody.”

“I wasn’t nervous or embarrassed by the rainbow colours, or of what people think. I wanted to send a message, and I was very proud to do it,” BBC quoted Vettel as saying.

The Hungarian government recently passed a law banning the promotion of homosexuality and transgender issues in schools. This law was widely criticised.

“I remembered I’d seen in the news that the current government doesn’t have the most progressive views on certain things,” Vettel said.

“There was a lot of debate about the laws that prohibit access to all ages getting a wholesome education and leaving some parts out, which I think is completely wrong.

“So the idea was born that we have this moment before the race where we are able to put out certain messages, and I thought it was a good opportunity to send out a small sign,” the F1 driver added.

Vettel’s opinions were echoed by Matt Bishop, Aston Martin’s chief communications officer.

“Now I’m not that, but LGBTQ+ people in Formula 1 are still a rarity. So to have someone like Seb, who is a straight man who completely understands that one should be able to live and let live, and love and make love to whoever you like, is very heartening. It’s what we call allyship, and as I said to Sebastian, it meant a lot to me,” Bishop said.

Following Vettel’s actions in Hungary, messages of support came in from across the LGBTQ+ community as well as from Lewis Hamilton, who posted a message on Instagram promising to “join you next time with the same shirt”.