Four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel will return to the spotlight, but away from the tracks. The German will participate in this year’s London Marathon, combining the sporting challenge with fundraising for charitable causes.
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Vettel, who retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season, will run through the streets of the English capital alongside F1 journalist and host of the Beyond The Grid podcast, Tom Clarkson. The race is scheduled for April 26 and will follow the traditional 26,2-mile course.
This initiative will have a charitable nature, with proceeds going to two institutions linked to motorsport and health. The funds will be directed to the Grand Prix Trust, which offers support to Formula 1 professionals, both on the tracks and in the factories, and to the Brain & Spine Foundation, created by the category’s former chief medical officer, Sid Watkins, which assists people with neurological conditions.
Participation in the marathon is another of the German’s recent initiatives since his retirement. In recent years, Vettel has been involved in various social and environmental projects, some of them directly linked to the Formula 1 paddock.
Among these actions, the former driver promoted the biodiversity project called “Buzzin’ Corner”, created a recycled helmet inspired by Ayrton Senna, participated in the Race4Women event in Saudi Arabia, and also led the ‘F1FOREST’ initiative, aimed at raising awareness about deforestation.
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The ‘F1FOREST’ project even brought Vettel back to the paddock last year during the São Paulo GP. On that occasion, the German sought to engage Formula 1 members in environmental actions and reinforce the importance of sustainability within the category.
Even away from racing, Vettel remains active and involved in initiatives that go beyond motorsport. The German built a remarkable career in Formula 1, with 53 victories and four world titles over 299 GPs, driving for teams such as BMW Sauber (now Audi), Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls), Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, and Aston Martin.
Now, the four-time champion faces a new sporting challenge, this time away from the cars. The London marathon will be another chapter in the German’s post-Formula 1 phase, marked by social and environmental projects and personal challenges.
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