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

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 during crucial moments.Sainz criticizes the television coverage, arguing that key moments of the action on the track are missed.A standout example was Sainz’s impressive comeback at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he advanced from last position to tenth place, an achievement that, according to the driver, was practically ignored in the live broadcast.The television coverage also downplayed the battle between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in the final laps, preferring to focus on the fight for second place between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.Although television channels control the appearance of their coverage during live sessions and the race, the images from the track are controlled by a global signal directed by Formula 1.It’s common for broadcasts to frequently show reactions from couples, family members, and celebrities in the garage, something that Sainz considers an outdated approach to showcasing the sport.

In an interview, Sainz commented that this trend of showing couples and celebrities is excessive and distracts from the competition.“It’s becoming a trend, which must have worked for them at the time when people found it interesting to see our girlfriends, see celebrities on television, the reactions,” Sainz commented.The driver emphasized the importance of prioritizing crucial moments in the race over external reactions. He regretted that the overtakes he made and Alonso’s pursuit of Hamilton were not shown last weekend.Sainz suggests that Formula 1 needs to re-evaluate the balance between sport and spectacle, adding that the excessive presence of celebrities in the paddock hinders the mobility of the drivers.Formula 1 continues with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on October 19.