Sainz criticizes F1 coverage: “Too much focus on celebrities”

Carlos Sainz criticizes Formula 1 television coverage

Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way live races are broadcast, pointing out an excessive focus on the reactions of the drivers’ partners and celebrities, detracting from the action on the track. Sainz highlighted that during the Singapore Grand Prix, his impressive comeback from the back of the grid to tenth place was practically ignored in the live broadcast. A race that, according to the driver, lacked the excitement it could have had. Furthermore, the television coverage barely focused on Fernando Alonso’s attempt to catch Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in the final laps. Instead, the broadcast primarily focused on the fight between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris for second place. Although television networks control the coverage they offer, the images from the track are directed by a single global feed controlled by Formula 1 itself. Sainz believes that this trend of showing the reactions of couples, family members, and celebrities in the garage is an outdated approach to sports broadcasting.

In statements to the program El Partidazo de COPE, Sainz commented: “It’s becoming a trend, which would work for them back in the day when people found it interesting to see our girlfriends, celebrities on TV, the reactions.”

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 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

Sainz lamented that the overtakes he made at the end of the race were not shown, nor was Fernando Alonso’s pursuit of Lewis Hamilton, missing crucial moments of the competition. The driver suggested that Formula 1 needs to reconsider where the line is drawn between sport and spectacle. “The other is fine, but don’t lose sight of the main thing. For me, they go a bit overboard with the 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 otherwise, you can’t move,” Sainz concluded. Formula 1 continues with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on October 19.