F1 champ Sebastian Vettel calls for speed limit on Germany’s autobahns

Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel is advocating for speed limits on Germany’s network of speed-unlimited autobahns, labelling the move a ‘no-brainer”.

Vettel — who has become something of a renaissance man in recent times, speaking out on a range of topics including social injustice and climate change – has called on regulators to establish speed limits on Germany’s famed highways.

The subject of speed limits on autobahns has become a hot topic in Germany since the general election last month, which remains in the balance. A coalition between the Social Democrat Party (SDP) and Greens is likely to form government. Both parties have previously supported a national speed limit, while Vettel has long been a vocal supporter of the German Greens.

Now, Vettel has thrown his support behind the coalition, telling the German publication Auto Motor und Sport: “I’m not disappointed with the result. I expect the next government to finally act and not just talk when it comes to issues such as social injustice or the climate crisis. There are many things that need to be addressed now.”

Vettel added he believed introducing speed limits would not only make the roads safer for everyone, but also help reduce CO2 emissions.

“You have to look at the big picture,” Vettel added. “A speed limit would save almost two million tons of CO2 emissions. And it would make the roads a bit safer. There are accidents in Germany that only happen because we don’t have a speed limit. If you only save the life of a single person, then that’s a no-brainer for me.”

Germany remains divided on thew idea of speed-limited autobahns – a recent poll conducted by Europe’s largest motoring association ADAC, the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club, revealed that 50 per cent of its 21 million members were in favour of introducing speed limits, with 45 per cent wanting to maintain the status quo. Just five per cent remained undecided.

However, the director of Germany’s Center of Automotive Management (CAM), Dr Stefan Bratzel, believes the increasing number of electric vehicles on Germany’s road system will negate the need for speed limits.

“Drivers of electric cars usually move at about 120 to 130 kilometres per hour, not faster, because otherwise, the battery range decreases considerably,” Bratzel told German media.