Sebastian Vettel Launches 'Buzzin' Corner' Initiative at Suzuka

Almost all teams and drivers showed up for Sebastian Vettel at Suzuka

At the world-renowned Suzuka circuit in Japan, there's more than just the usual tire screech and engine roar at Turn 2. Now, the sounds of nature, specifically buzzing bees, can be heard, courtesy of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel's novel ecological initiative.

Ever since his exit from Formula 1 at the culmination of the 2022 season, Sebastian Vettel has made limited public appearances, each one echoing his renewed commitment to environmental causes.

He participated in the UK’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, operating a McLaren MP4/7 and a Williams FW14B, both sustainably-fueled, up the renowned hill climb. He recently took a spin around the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife circuit in his Red Bull RB7, again emphasizing the use of carbon-neutral fuel.

But at Suzuka, his focus shifted to promoting biodiversity. This isn't Vettel’s first venture into raising awareness about the role of insects in ecosystems. He previously set up an insect hotel at Austria’s Red Bull Ring in 2021.

Under the humid skies of Suzuka, F1 figures, drivers, team principals, and the F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali congregated to marvel at Vettel's insect hotels, strategically placed inside Turn 2. Each team contributed to designing their insect dwellings.

This is not the first time Sebastian Vettel shows his care for bees and the environment

An actively involved Vettel guided drivers in populating the hotels with wooden blocks and sticks. He was notably moved by the overwhelming support from the 2023 F1 community.

Taking to Instagram, he shared his enthusiasm: “I want, with this project, to create awareness about the importance and the subject of biodiversity.” Referring to bees as ambassadors, he elaborated on the broad reach of biodiversity: "It’s all types of plants, all types of organisms, bacteria. And even more than that, we have to celebrate variety, not just in human beings, but also in nature – and we have to protect it.”

Lewis Hamilton, Vettel's friend and previous competitor, lauded the German's newfound role as an environmental champion. Commending Vettel’s innovative use of his platform, Hamilton said, “It’s great that he’s utilizing his platform. I always just hope that with the things that he’s doing, for example, that he inspires the other drivers to do something here."

Formula 1 aficionados can spot these insect hotels during Free Practice 1 at ‘Buzzin’ Corner’ on Friday at 1130am local time, or 04:30 Central European Time.