Sainz criticizes F1 coverage: Too many celebrities and little focus on the race

Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way races are broadcast live, criticizing the excessive emphasis on the reactions of the drivers’ partners and celebrities during key moments. Sainz pointed out that the epic comeback he made in the Singapore Grand Prix, where he went from last place to tenth, was completely ignored in the live broadcast, a race that, in general, lacked excitement. Live coverage also downplayed Lewis Hamilton’s near capture by Fernando Alonso in the final laps. Instead, most of the on-track action focused on the battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris for second place. Although television networks control their own coverage during live sessions and the race, the on-track images are controlled by a single world feed directed by Formula 1 itself. It’s common for broadcasts to include cuts to the reactions of couples, family members, and celebrities in the garage, something that Sainz considers an outdated approach to showing the sport.

“It’s becoming a trend, which must have worked for them back in the day when people found it interesting to see our girlfriends, to see famous people on TV, the reactions,” Sainz told El Partidazo de COPE from Spain.

Carlos Sainz

Sainz added:

“I understand that if there’s an overtake, a very tense moment in the race, it’s understandable that the production team wants to show a reaction if they’ve seen 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 SainzSainz pointed out that in the last race none of the four or five overtakes he made at the end were shown, nor was Fernando Alonso’s pursuit of Lewis Hamilton, missing “many things”. Sainz suggested that Formula 1 needs to reconsider where the limit is between sport and spectacle.

“The other thing [is] fine, but don’t lose sight of the main thing. For me, they go a bit overboard showing celebrities and girlfriends,” he added.

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.” F1 continues with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on October 19.