‘No Superman’: Vettel speaks out on mental health struggles in F1

The German said drivers would discuss mental health with each other but felt reluctant to air their feelings in the public sphere

Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel said sports stars are often discouraged from discussing mental health issues, and he considers that reluctance a “weakness of society”.

Vettel, who announced in late July he would step down from Formula One at the end of the year, admitted to seeking psychological support and said sport had double standards when it came to health issues of a mental nature.

“I have no problem talking about it,” Vettel told German tabloid Bild.

“If you break a leg, you go to the doctor. It would be wise to see what prevents me from breaking my leg in the first place.”

“We don’t seem to be doing the same when it comes to mental health though. That is a weakness of our society because something like (mental health issues) are often seen as a weakness.”

Vettel, 35, in action at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday in Zandvoort, won four titles on a row with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013.

The German said drivers would discuss mental health with each other but felt reluctant to air their feelings in the public sphere.