You were one of the winners of the year!

Anno Hecker

Responsible editor for sports.

  • Follow I follow

Yes, I am healthy, I am doing very well, I can do what I enjoy, by and large I can count myself among the big winners.

I didn't mean twelfth overall in the Aston Martin in front of your team-mate than your election victory.

You have elected the Greens, who are now the Vice Chancellor and the Foreign Minister.

Oh, I understand.

My participation was probably rather marginal.

One vote.

Unfortunately not all voted.

It did not turn out to be a dream result.

But I see the election result as a great opportunity to take on the challenge.

I think that could move us forward.

In the next two years it will become clear how much of what was promised to us voters is talk and what will be implemented.

I am very excited.

A year ago we talked about the development of Formula 1, about the need to appear “part of the solution and not part of the problem”, as team bosses put it, in times of climate change.

What has happened, is the pace fast enough?

Not fast enough.

We are still in the same situation.

The regulations are fixed until 2025, the engine regulations will not be changed.

When it comes to gasoline, it will remain fossil fuels for the time being.

Initially, there will only be ten percent of bio-fuels or ethanol, which is neither sufficient nor up-to-date.

I stick to my criticism.

We all have the options, we have the money, the resources, we could do very sensible things with them.

I can understand that there is resistance.

For example, if you have invested a lot of money in a team, rapid change may seem like a defeat.

But it would be a victory over one's own ego.

Does the Formula 1 business model, which is also financed through the world tour, allow this rapid change?

It is difficult to give an honest, coherent answer to this.

In Germany, criticism of the failure to respond to climate change will increase.

And that's right.

Formula 1 is growing at the same time. It drives in countries that were not previously part of the calendar, it expands interest in the races worldwide (23 in 2022 / d. Ed.) Even in countries where no Grand Prix takes place.

I do not want to evaluate the state of the nations on the climate issue.

Obviously there are clear differences.

The problems are not perceived as so important by all societies, as is the case in Germany, for example.

But this will change.

And that's why it has long been foreseeable that Formula 1 will come under more and more pressure.

How do you know that?

Look where people are driving and where it is becoming increasingly difficult for Formula 1 management to find an organizer.

In Germany there are no subsidies for a race and therefore no appearance.

There will be no 30 million dollars from the state, as is customary in some countries.

Politics sees more important things.

Funding seems unthinkable to me at the moment.

But if Formula 1 could offer remedies, technology that helps counter the consequences of climate change, then there would be arguments again.

She has what it takes.

If it were to continue, Germany would be more open to a race again.

But unfortunately the main question is whether it is still up to date.