DPA
Suzuka
Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel has helped erect 11 specially-created insect hotels on the inside of Turn 2 of Japan’s iconic Suzuka circuit.
The Buzzin Corner project, designed to spread the message about biodiversity, was unveiled on Thursday on the sidelines of the Japanese Grand Prix.
To promote the initiative, the kerbs at Turn 2 were painted in black and yellow - a reference to the colours of bees - with each F1 team helping to customize their own hotels.
"I want, with this project, to create awareness about the importance and the subject of biodiversity,” Vettel said on Instagram on Wednesday.
"[The bee is] the perfect ambassador for us around this project and idea to highlight the importance of biodiversity, because it stands not just for the bee but for all the other insects, so we see the bee as our ambassador.” Vettel also promoted an insect hotel at Austria’s Red Bull Ring back in 2021.
He retired from F1 at the end of last year, having spent the past years pushing hard to raise awareness for the environment and climate issues.
"It’s great to see that he’s found his purpose. It’s great to have Seb back this weekend. He sat down and told all the drivers about these plans,” seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes said.
"To be honest, in the history of the sport, I don’t know any other driver who’s ever been so outspoken and shown real compassion for the world outside of this little world that we’re living in. It’s really great that he’s utilising his platform.”