Kate On Wheels

There was an extra buzz in the air at Suzuka last race weekend, to add to the usual Formula 1 race-week excitement. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel continued his environmental efforts by introducing insect hotels at the Japanese circuit, saying that he wanted to “create awareness about the importance and the subject of biodiversity”.

When asked what people could do at home to help preserve biodiversity Vettel said “Become aware. Once you become aware you start to care, and when you care you start to act.”

Although all insects are welcome at the bug hotels, Vettel (36) has named the bee as ambassador for the project as it is so distinctive. The bee “stands not just for the bee but for all the other insects, so we see the bee as our ambassador”.

The 11 hotels, built by a local carpenter, had their roofs painted in the bees’ colours of black and yellow. The project, which saw turn 2 renamed ‘Buzzin’ Corner’ for the weekend, was also symbolised by the kerbs at turn 2 being painted black and yellow.

Ahead of the action on track, Vettel was joined by many of the drivers and team principals who helped to furnish and decorate the hotels. They added insect nesting materials and personalised flourishes to the paintwork.

Explaining why biodiversity is important Vettel said, “We are losing a lot of species and that’s not good news for us, ultimately, because we depend on them.”

This isn’t the first time Vettel has used his platform to champion the environment. At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2021 he climbed into the grandstands and picked up litter to help with the post-race clean up.

The former F1 driver built a bee hotel in the shape of a racing car with children from a primary school in Styria, Austria. He also cited the climate crisis as a factor in his decision to retire from the sport in 2022.

Speaking about what steps we can all take, Vettel said we can start at home: “create a wild flower patch; don’t cut your lawn as often; or leave a little space for insects”. He hopes to see more black and yellow kerbs at other circuits and expand this biodiversity insect initiative.