Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way live races are broadcast. The driver from Madrid believes that there is an excessive focus on the reactions of the drivers’ partners and celebrities, detracting from the crucial moments of the competition.
Sainz, after a remarkable comeback in the Singapore Grand Prix, where he advanced from the back of the grid to tenth place, lamented that this feat was not covered in the live broadcast. The coverage, according to the driver, lacked emotion and left out key moments of the race.
The broadcast also didn’t highlight Fernando Alonso’s attempt to catch Lewis Hamilton in the final laps, preferring to focus on the battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris for second place.
Although television broadcasters control the coverage around the live sessions and the race, the on-track images are directed by a single world feed controlled by Formula 1.
It’s common for broadcasts to show the reactions of couples, family members, and celebrities in the garage, something Sainz considers an outdated approach.
The driver added: “I understand that if there is an overtake, a very tense moment in the race, it is understandable that the production team wants to show a reaction if they have seen that that has worked in the past… but [they should only do it] if the competition is respected and the important moments of the race are always shown.” “Last weekend they didn’t show any of the four or five overtakes I made at the end. They also didn’t show Fernando’s pursuit of Lewis… a lot of things were missed,” Sainz lamented. Sainz suggests that Formula 1 needs to rethink where the limit is between sport and spectacle.“It’s becoming a trend, which must have worked for them at some point, when people found it interesting to see our girlfriends, see celebrities on TV, the reactions,” Sainz commented to El Partidazo de COPE.
Carlos Sainz
“Sometimes there are so many VIPs in the paddock that you can’t even walk. We move around by bike or scooter [in the paddock] because if not, you just can’t move.” Formula 1 will continue with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on October 19.“The other thing [is] fine, but don’t lose sight of the main thing. For me, they go a little overboard showing celebrities and girlfriends,” he added.
Carlos Sainz
