Vettel retired from grand prix racing after the Yas Marina event last weekend, having decided to call time on his career so he can spend more time at home with his family.

It also comes against the backdrop of him becoming an environmental campaigner, having done much to raise the profile of climate and social concerns over the past few years.

As he walked into the F1 paddock for the last time as a driver in Abu Dhabi, Vettel was seen sporting a black T-shirt that featured an image of the world above the word: ‘Invitation’.

The design prompted many questions about what the meaning behind it was – which the four-time F1 champion has since clarified.

Speaking to fans on social media, Vettel explained that it was based on his desire to invite people to help make an impact in addressing climate change.

“It’s really about an invitation to see the sort of power and influence that we can have on a lot of people,” he explained on an Instagram video.

Vettel revealed that his own awareness of wider issues was triggered by the arrival of his daughters and then, shortly after, the death of his father-in-law.

“I have to admit when I was young, when I was 20, 25, I didn’t really see the news that already there was a big problem, because it didn’t impact on me,” he said.

“The life that I was living: I was interested in racing, interested in success. And really then a couple of things happened in my life.

“I chose, together with my wife, to…