Carlos Sainz has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way Formula 1 races are broadcast, criticizing the excessive emphasis on the reactions of the drivers’ partners and celebrities during crucial moments of the competition.
Sainz’s remarkable comeback in the Singapore Grand Prix, where he advanced from the back of the grid to tenth position, went unnoticed in the live broadcast. This race, in general, lacked excitement in its coverage.
The broadcast barely focused on Fernando Alonso’s attempt to catch Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in the final laps. Much of the on-track coverage focused on the fight between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris for second place.
While television channels control the coverage they offer during live sessions and the race, the on-track images are directed by a single world feed, controlled by Formula 1.
It’s common for the broadcast to show the reactions of couples, family members, and celebrities in the garage, something that Sainz considers an outdated approach to showing the sport.
Sainz commented that he understands that, in the event of an overtake or a moment of tension in the race, the production team wants to show a reaction if it has worked in the past, but only if the competition is respected and the important moments of the race are shown. The Spanish driver regretted that the four or five overtakes he made at the end of the race were not shown, nor Fernando Alonso’s pursuit of Lewis Hamilton, thus missing key moments of the competition. Sainz suggested that Formula 1 needs to re-evaluate where the limit is between sport and spectacle. The rest is fine, but don’t lose sight of the main thing. For me, they go a bit overboard showing celebrities and girlfriends. Furthermore, Sainz added that sometimes there are so many VIPs in the paddock that it’s difficult to move around, and that the drivers have to use bicycles or scooters to get around. Formula 1 will continue with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on October 19.It’s becoming a trend, which must have worked for them at some point, when people seemed interested in seeing our girlfriends, seeing famous people on television, the reactions.
Carlos Sainz
