Sainz criticizes F1 approach: Fewer celebrities, more track action

Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way races are broadcast live, pointing out an excessive emphasis on the reactions of the drivers’ partners and celebrities during key moments. Sainz, who starred in an impressive comeback in the Singapore Grand Prix, moving from the back of the grid to tenth place, lamented that his performance was not covered in the live broadcast. The race, in general, was criticized for its lack of excitement. Live coverage also downplayed Fernando Alonso’s fight to catch Lewis Hamilton in the final laps. Instead, the broadcast focused primarily on the battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris for second place. While television broadcasters control the coverage during live sessions and the race, the on-track images are directed by a single world feed controlled by Formula 1 itself. It’s common for broadcasts to include cuts to the reactions of brides, family members, and celebrities in the garage, something that Sainz considers an outdated approach to showcasing the sport.

Sainz declared to El Partidazo de COPE from Spain: “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 television, the reactions.”

I understand that if there is an overtaking maneuver, a very tense moment in the race, it is understandable that the production team wants to show a reaction if they have seen that it 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.

Carlos Sainz

“Last weekend they didn’t show any of the four or five overtakes I made at the end. They didn’t show Fernando’s pursuit of Lewis either… a lot of things were missed,” he added. Sainz suggested that Formula 1 needs to re-evaluate where the line is drawn between sport and spectacle. “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. “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.” F1 continues with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on October 19th.