According to the deputy, it is necessary to expand opportunities for Russians to exercise the right to retire two years earlier — with 42 years of service for men and 37 years for women. Gavrilov recalled that in April last year the government amended the rules for calculating insurance service. The amendments clarified the procedure for accounting for certain periods of employment and other activities when granting early retirement. However, in practice this led to the previous procedure effectively ceasing to be applied, RT writes. According to the parliamentarian, pension authorities stopped counting periods of work prior to the entry into force of the law on insurance pensions (before January 1, 2015), even if citizens can document them. Russians' applications began to be left without consideration. Gavrilov emphasized that the resulting "procedural pause" requires a regulatory solution to restore citizens' rights to early retirement on the basis of long service.

      Ten days ago, last Thursday, Sebastian Vettel appeared in the paddock at the São Paulo circuit, where he was promoting his new environmental initiative F1FOREST, aimed at saving the Amazon’s tropical forests.

      The four-time world champion secured the support of Formula 1 and all 20 drivers competing this year, especially since the idea is simple: everyone who works in the paddock in any capacity is invited to draw a tree, and then all these drawings will be combined into a single collage that, according to Sebastian’s plan, should take on a truly global character.

      "The idea is to collect as many of these drawings as possible, because a forest is made up of many trees, so it’s simple," Vettel shared in an interview with the championship’s official website. "We’re trying to involve everyone, from the drivers to the people who just work in the paddock, and fans too. We’ve also visited schools where children from different backgrounds study, both from wealthy families and poor ones, and we visited a nursing home…

      We want as many people as possible to join us, including online, of course, through social media, where we can also tell this story. And it began when I visited the Amazon’s tropical forests last year, and it opened my eyes to a lot.

      The trip was very interesting, but it also left rather sad impressions, because I saw how many forests have already been destroyed and what those areas now look like. I wanted to do something to help, so we decided to join forces…

      You might ask what the point is, after all we’re only getting drawings on sheets of paper? But think about what happens to the interviews you conduct. They’re printed in newspapers, they appear on the internet, in various media — people read them, get some information, and it inspires them.

      Maybe not everyone, but some people will be affected by our campaign and will think: ‘Maybe I should plant a tree?’ If someone at least starts thinking about it, then the beginning has been made…

      The drawings are very varied. Some people really tried, some were more frivolous, but it’s great that all the drivers supported us too, and we’re getting a pretty good overall picture… I think when Max Verstappen was drawing his tree, he got so carried away that he didn’t pay attention to the people from Red Bull Racing who were reminding him he had to go to some interview. But he was completely absorbed in the process, and that’s the most important thing."

      Of course, Sebastian still follows the world championship closely and is intrigued by how this season is unfolding:

      "I still follow Formula 1, so I’m aware of what’s going on. When I return to the paddock I see many familiar faces. That said, there have been quite a few changes too — new people have arrived and some are no longer around, but overall it’s still the same family.

      The season isn’t over yet, and I like how it’s shaping up. The McLaren drivers are the favorites, but Max is catching them, and that’s great. I think all three deserve the title. For both McLaren drivers, winning the championship would be an incredible achievement — and the same for Max if he wins his fifth title."

      When Vettel was again asked whether he might return to Formula 1 not as a driver but in some other capacity, his answer was: "Anything is possible. I mean, I’m in no rush, because for any other role there are no age limits. For example, ask Helmut Marko!

      Actually, it all depends on what that role might be. I’m interested in the psychological side of the sport — working with drivers, with young drivers, but also aspects like the necessary components of success. What qualities must a team have to win, how a championship-winning team differs from those that don’t achieve victories.

      I suppose time will tell, and if I’m made the right offer at the right moment, why not accept it? But I’m not the type to knock on teams’ doors and ask if they have a job…"