Vettel finally embraces social media by joining Instagram

Jon Wilde
Sebastian Vettel at wheel of a 100yo Aston Martin. Paul Ricard July 2022.

Sebastian Vettel at the wheel of a 100-year-old Aston Martin. Paul Ricard July 2022.

Sebastian Vettel has taken his first steps into the world of social media by opening an Instagram account.

Until now, the German has resisted posting anything about his life on social media but has finally succumbed to the temptation – or been persuaded to do so.

There are no posts as yet on the Vettel Instagram account, which features a V5 logo and strapline of ‘there is still a race to win’ – perhaps a reference to his environmental campaigning.

His status as a four-time Formula 1 World Champion and ‘public figure’ is also listed and the 35-year-old already has 361,000 followers – but is not following anyone himself yet.

It appears the Aston Martin driver has finally given in to the pleas of rivals such as Pierre Gasly, who has been quoted as saying an abstinence from social media is “not normal”.

“Our generation, everyone is on social media,” said the Frenchman.

“Except Seb (Vettel) who is the only one and the only exception! We are still pushing him to be on Instagram, because it’s not normal these days not to be on social media.”

As for his own views, Vettel, who has said he takes an old-school approach to note-taking by using a pen and pad rather than an app on a phone or tablet device, has said previously: “The platforms do exactly the opposite of what they claim.

“They do not show the real picture. If you have millions of followers, then no photo goes out uncensored.

“Like, you think you know people from the television. It’s a self-expression stage that makes money. The user does not really learn anything. It falls into the category of entertainment.

“I have no need to communicate. Why should I tell people where I am right now?

“I don’t want to criticise anyone who does it. Everyone has the freedom to do what they want, but I’m not part of this race.”

Vettel went on to say modern technology has its benefits in Formula 1.

“In terms of sports, the power of the computer helps us enormously,” he added.

“Only then can we build these cars as we have them now.

“In general, I am very sceptical about the whole thing. It will be interesting to see how far we end up going.

“In the end, however, everyone has to decide for themselves how much they want to be part of this digital world.”

Now, it appears Vettel – however reluctantly – does too.