Carlos Sainz has criticized the way Formula 1 broadcasts its races. According to the Spanish driver, much of the on-track action was missed during the recent Singapore Grand Prix, while the reactions of celebrities were prominently featured. “For me, they go a bit too far with showing celebrities,” Sainz explains.
Carlos Sainz drove an impressive race in Singapore, moving up from the nineteenth starting position to a top-ten finish. Unfortunately, the Spaniard’s overtaking maneuvers on the track were barely shown. Fernando Alonso‘s pursuit of Lewis Hamilton in the final laps of the race also barely made the broadcast, prompting the Spanish world champion to call on Formula 1 to “refine the coverage and bring all the excitement on the circuit to the fans.”
Celebrity Reactions
Sainz agrees with his compatriot that the official Formula 1 broadcast needs to change. “It’s becoming a bit of a trend – which must have worked for F1 when people found it interesting to see our girlfriends – to show the reactions of celebrities on TV,” Sainz tells Spanish El Partidazo de COPE.
“It’s understandable that if there’s an overtaking maneuver, a very exciting moment in the race, the production team wants to show a reaction shot,” the Spaniard continues. “Especially if it has worked in the past. But that should only be if the competition is respected and you always show the important moments of the race. Last weekend they didn’t show any of the four or five overtaking maneuvers I made at the end. They also didn’t show Fernando’s pursuit of Lewis. They missed too many things.”
According to Sainz, the focus is now too much on the reactions of celebrities and the partners of the drivers. “That’s fine, but they shouldn’t lose sight of the most important thing (the race),” says the Williams driver. “For me, they go a bit too far with showing celebrities and girlfriends. Sometimes there are so many VIPs in the paddock that you can’t even walk. We then move around by bike or scooter, because otherwise you just can’t get ahead.”
