Sainz criticizes F1’s focus on celebrities: More spectacle than race?

Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way races are broadcast live, pointing out excessive attention to the reactions of the drivers’ partners and celebrities during crucial moments. Sainz criticized that the live coverage of the Singapore Grand Prix race, where he managed to recover from last position to tenth place, did not adequately capture this epic advance. In addition, the broadcast barely focused on Fernando Alonso’s intense fight to catch Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in the final laps, preferring to show the battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris for second place. Although television channels control the appearance of their coverage during live sessions and the race, the images from the track are directed by a single, global Formula 1 feed. It’s common for broadcasts to show reactions from couples, family members, and celebrities in the garages, something that Sainz considers an outdated approach to showcasing the sport.

It’s becoming a trend, which must have worked for them at some point when people found it interesting to see our girlfriends, famous people on television, the reactions. Sainz commented on the El Partidazo de COPE program in Spain: “I understand that if there is an overtaking, 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.” The driver added: “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 suggested that Formula 1 needs to re-evaluate where the line between sport and spectacle lies.

The other thing [is acceptable] but don’t lose sight of the main thing. For me, they go a little overboard showing celebrities and girlfriends.

Carlos Sainz

He continued saying: “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 simply can’t move”. Formula 1 will continue with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on October 19.