Multiple reports indicate Vettel was knighted to the sound of 'Circle of Life' in a gymnasium in Gothenburg. The Perfect World Foundation Award is a Swedish honorary prize awarded annually to people with strong commitment to the planet's animals and nature. During his school visit, Vettel tasted honey from the school's beehive, talked with the children, and saw them doing everything from beadwork to drawings.
According to Sportbladet, Sebastian Vettel described being very inspired by the work the children do to protect the environment and save the planet. He also noted that the award means a lot to him and serves as motivation to continue his environmental work, though he questioned whether he truly deserved it compared to others. The specific environmental or animal-related work that earned Vettel the award has not been detailed, nor has the exact primary school where the knighting ceremony took place been identified.
He drives very well, I even asked if he was a driver, smiles Vettel.
Vettel is in Gothenburg to attend the award gala, though the exact date and time of the event remain unspecified. According to Sportbladet, Johan Elmander described acting as Vettel's driver during the visit, having served as a driver for The Perfect World Foundation for a couple of years. Elmander added that they discussed sports, including football, during their time together.
The full scope of Vettel's activities in Gothenburg beyond the school visit and award gala is not yet known.
This means a lot to me. It cannot be compared with any of the trophies I have won in sports or any award I have received earlier. In sports, you can measure everything – were you furthest ahead, furthest behind or fifth? This is absolutely not about that kind of measurable results, but it is a confirmation that the things one has tried to talk about have also been heard and that it has worked.
It is something that means a lot. At the same time, I ask myself if I really have deserved it, or if there are others who have deserved it more. It is very special, says Sebastian Vettel to Sportbladet.
At the same time, it is also a motivation and inspiration to continue the work.
I become very inspired by the work you do here, says Sebastian Vettel to the children when he stands with a medal around his neck after being dubbed an environmental knight.
I was very nervous, the children were very nervous, and they showed a lot of the things they do to protect the environment and save the planet. It was lovely to see how aware they are – children often are. It was lovely to see that there was so much energy in them.
My first question was probably if he wanted to drive himself, but he said no, says Johan Elmander, who has acted as a driver for The Perfect World Foundation for a couple of years.
But we talked a bit about sports and such. He is interested in football and remembered that he saw the World Cup match between Sweden and Germany!