(Motorsport-Total.com) – Sebastian Vettel is now a knight – at least an environmental knight! To the sounds of “Circle of Life,” the Formula 1 icon stepped onto a stage to be knighted – and that in a gymnasium in Gothenburg. “I am very inspired,” the Heppenheimer said, visibly impressed by his visit to Sweden as expressen.se reports.
Read more No ego trip: What Albon and Sainz do differently at Williams
The four-time world champion was knighted as an environmental knight at Samskolan in Gothenburg. The former Formula 1 star did not hold back praise for the students’ environmental projects. It is another chapter in Vettel’s transformation from a horsepower giant to a passionate environmental activist after his retirement from the top class.
Especially for the high-profile visit, a long yellow carpet was rolled out on Tuesday to welcome Vettel at Samskolan. Around 150 students greeted the ex-champion, guided him around the campus, and proudly presented their daily work for a better planet.
Ceremony for Vettel
The absolute highlight followed in the school’s own gymnasium: While “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King” blared from the speakers, Vettel stepped onto the stage for the ceremonial knighting. “Thank you very much. I feel like I belong to this school now,” Vettel commented on the ceremony. “And thank you for having me here today and showing me what you do. I have three children at home and we do a lot of crafting, so I take a lot of inspiration with me.”
But what exactly is behind the title of environmental knight? The award was created over ten years ago by teacher Catherine Nestenborg and a colleague. “We thought: What can we do for the children to work with the topic of the environment? And that’s how we came up with this idea. An environmental knight never misses a trash can and always dares to tell their parents what they think,” she explains the concept.
Read more Berger about Roland Ratzenberger: «More difficult than my own accident»
To receive the medal and the knight title, the children must complete ten tasks in school and at home, all of which have an ecological connection. Only those who overcome all ten hurdles are knighted.
Activism instead of horsepower monster
Vettel himself uses his time after his active career intensively to raise awareness of environmental issues. The reason for his trip to Sweden is the awarding of the “The Perfect World Foundation Award” – a prize given annually in Gothenburg to people who are committed to nature and wildlife.
The 38-year-old was deeply impressed by the enthusiasm of the Gothenburg students: “I am very inspired by what you do and how aware you all are of the planet. I often notice, when I meet children, that you exactly understand what is going on. It is rather us adults who sometimes need to change and listen more to you children.”
Read more Goodwood Revival 2026: Jenson Button meets Jacques Villeneuve