Davide Valsecchi: From Formula 2 Champion to Beloved F1 Analyst, Navigating Humor and Controversy

In the world of Formula 1, where many take themselves too seriously, Davide Valsecchi is a breath of fresh air. The former Formula 2 champion, now an analyst for Sky Italia, is never far from a laugh. However, his humor once led to a race suspension by his employer after a joke fell flat. “I always make jokes on TV, I’m not going to change that,” he asserts.

Conversations with Davide Valsecchi are always a delight. The Italian from Eupilio, a small village north of Monza, is outspoken and full of self-deprecating humor. Whether it’s about Ferrari’s strategic mistakes, his verbal slip on television, or the extra pounds he claims are impossible to shed. “I cycle, I swim, I run, I do everything, but the problem is that I love good food too much,” he says with a laugh, theatrically rubbing his belly with one hand.

But Valsecchi (37) can also be serious. Dead serious when it comes to his own racing career. In 2012, in his fifth season, the Italian finally became champion in the GP2 class, the predecessor of the current Formula 2. Since the introduction of GP2 in 2005 up to last season’s Formula 2 (the GP2 class was replaced by the renewed Formula 2 in 2017), the champions almost always made it to the premier class. Only four drivers never made the leap: Valsecchi (2012), Fabio Leimer (2013), Felipe Drugovich (2022), and Theo Pourchaire (2023).

Valsecchi: ‘I truly deserved the chance’

“I was so close. There are more drivers who missed the chance, but I truly deserved it,” believes Valsecchi. The year after his GP2 title, the Italian became a reserve driver for the Lotus F1 team, now known as Alpine. His ultimate chance at an F1 seat came during the season when Kimi Räikkönen injured his back. Valsecchi expected to fill in, but the team opted for the experience of Räikkönen’s compatriot Heikki Kovalainen. It was a blow to the Italian.

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Reflecting on a Missed Opportunity in Formula 1

“I still find it incredibly disappointing how things turned out. At the time, I was furious and bitter,” he recalls. “I believe I possessed the necessary qualities to succeed in Formula 1. I was good in the race, had the speed, was strong in overtaking and defending, and moreover, quite consistent. In short, good enough for Formula 1. Maybe not for the absolute top, but certainly for the sub-top. The year I became champion, eight drivers finished behind me who later made it to Formula 1.”

He effortlessly lists the names. He must have done it often. Esteban Gutiérrez, Max Chilton, Giedo van der Garde, Marcus Ericsson, Felipe Nasr, Jolyon Palmer, Rio Haryanto, and Brendon Hartley. “I beat them, so I could have beaten them in Formula 1 too.”

Respect for the New Generation of Drivers

In the same breath, Valsecchi adds that he has a lot of respect for the new generation of drivers on the grid, led by Max Verstappen. “The new stars are of an incredibly high level. Of the older ones, only Lewis Hamilton can compete with them, the rest are destroyed, including Sebastian Vettel as a four-time world champion. I still feel like a driver inside, but the new stars are three levels higher.”

Feeling More Like a Driver than a Journalist

Now, he considers himself lucky to have made it to Formula 1, albeit not as a driver. “First, I had the misfortune of not getting a chance at a Formula 1 seat, later the luck of being able to follow Formula 1 for Sky Italia. I get to do what I love, and I cherish that. But to be honest, I still feel more like a driver than a journalist inside.”

As a former driver, Valsecchi has the substantive knowledge of the sport, with which he can supplement the charming presenter Federica Masolin, the radiant face of Formula 1 in Italy, where necessary. However, he does have an Achilles heel, Valsecchi realizes. He finds it difficult to be critical of the drivers’ performances: “I love them all.”

Assessing Daniel Ricciardo’s Performance

Davide Valsecchi, a former racing driver and current commentator, shares his thoughts on Daniel Ricciardo’s performance. “I believe there are better drivers on the grid than Daniel Ricciardo. However, I’m not the type to criticize him outright. But I do point out his mistakes, like the ones he made last year at the Dutch GP in Zandvoort. First, there was Piastri’s crash, which led to a yellow flag situation. Ricciardo didn’t notice it. That was mistake one. Then he saw Piastri stationary, got startled, and locked his tires. Mistake two. Finally, he crashed himself trying to avoid Piastri and forgot to let go of the steering wheel, breaking his metacarpal. Mistake three. Three foolish mistakes in a row, causing him to miss a few races and letting his team and himself down. Of course, I do point out such things. I’m not being critical, just objective.”

Life as a Commentator

Valsecchi enjoys the race weekends, but not all aspects of the job appeal to him. “Oh man, I hate traveling. For that reason, I don’t dream of working for an F1 team. I know I could be valuable in certain areas, but it’s not for me. I like being at home, with my wife and our two children. With an F1 team, you’re away from home even more than with Sky. The balance is good now, and I enjoy working with the Sky team.” He adds with a laugh, “What do you think? I work with Federica. We get along well. She’s smart, good at her job, and also very beautiful.”

Controversy Over a Joke

Speaking of women, Valsecchi faced controversy last season at the GP in Barcelona, Spain, over a joke he made on camera with Matteo Bobbi. While discussing team upgrades, Bobbi mentioned seeing an attractive “update package” in the paddock, referring to a blonde woman. Valsecchi responded, “Unfortunately, I’ve been told you can’t test that one.” The joke was poorly received by viewers, leading Sky Italia’s management to suspend the duo for a race. Even in Italy, seemingly innocent remarks can sometimes be labeled as inappropriate behavior. However, the woman in question, Spanish rally driver Christine Giampaoli Zonca, had no issue with the comment, she later revealed.

Valsecchi comments on the incident: “It was a joke! It’s ridiculous to suspend someone for that. I spoke to Christine, of course. She took it as a compliment. How did I react? Fuck them! I went to the beach with my family.”

Reflections on a Controversial Joke and Opinions on Ferrari

“The commotion started on the Monday after the race. I had just gotten home and taken my wife and children to a restaurant. I didn’t have my phone with me, but when I got home, I had about 25 messages from Federica. ‘Davide, it’s becoming a madhouse.’ I apologize if I offended anyone, but it was a spontaneous joke, meant innocently. I always make jokes. Okay, this might have been a failed joke, but to suspend someone for that?! Should Sky have defended me? I felt that way too, but you know, I don’t care. They can decide what they want, but I remain myself. I’m just going to make fewer jokes.”

Thoughts on Ferrari

Then, about Ferrari, the constant main theme in Sky Italia’s broadcasts. Valsecchi has a pronounced opinion on all matters – especially about the eternal unrest at Ferrari. “I think they’ve been following the wrong philosophy for years. Last season they won a few races, they were seriously involved in the constructors’ championship in the beginning, in which they eventually finished second. But what happened at the end of the ride? The team boss was fired. How is that possible?”

Valsecchi speaks passionately about Ferrari. The situation is close to his heart. He often lets a swear word slip.

Ferrari is Italian heritage, argues Valsecchi. “Pirelli is almost half in Chinese hands, it’s no longer an Italian company. Ferrari is. Ferrari is 100 percent Italian and we want to be proud of that. But why then put a foreigner at the head? There isn’t an Italian driver of the required level, but at least ensure an Italian team boss. I do hope that Frédéric Vasseur is given the time and can turn the tide. In the lower categories, he was at least a winner.”

Personal Ambitions

Valsecchi himself has no ambition to work with an F1 team. “No, not even at Ferrari.” Besides his TV work, he runs his own small business with his father that makes videos of real estate. “And I enjoy my free time with my family. My life is good as it is.”