Sebastian Vettel expresses sympathy for Silverstone climate protestors

• Former F1 champion joins Hamilton in expressing sympathy
• I very much sympathise with their fears and their anxieties'

The four-times Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel said he sympathises with the environmental protesters who invaded the track at the British Grand Prix on Sunday. Vettel, who has been an outspoken climate campaigner for some time, conceded that the activists' protest could have put lives at risk.

Activists from the Just Stop Oil group had breached the fencing and sat down on the track on the opening lap at Silverstone shortly after Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu had suffered a huge, high-speed crash at turn one. The race was stopped immediately but five protesters took to the track on the Wellington straight while the cars were still circulating back to the pits. They were removed by the authorities shortly afterwards.