Carlos Sainz Criticizes Formula One’s Focus on Celebrities Over Racing Drama
Carlos Sainz has expressed frustration with Formula One for excessively highlighting the reactions of drivers’ partners and celebrities during broadcasts, arguing it detracts from the on-track action.
The Williams driver’s impressive climb from the back of the grid to 10th place at the Singapore Grand Prix received minimal coverage, while cameras frequently cut to shots of his girlfriend, Rebecca Donaldson, and Lando Norris’s partner, Magui Corceiro. Fernando Alonso’s late-race charge toward Lewis Hamilton was also largely omitted, with the broadcast instead fixating on Max Verstappen’s battle with Norris for second place.
Since race footage is controlled by a single global feed, broadcasters like Sky Sports can only show the images provided by Formula One, leaving little flexibility in coverage.
“It’s becoming a trend, maybe because it worked in the past—people found it interesting to see our partners or famous faces on screen,” Sainz told Spanish radio station El Partidazo de COPE.
“I get it if there’s a crucial overtake or a tense moment and they want to show a reaction. But only if the sport stays the priority and key moments aren’t missed. Last weekend, none of my passes were shown, nor Fernando’s pursuit of Lewis… they overlooked a lot.”
Sainz urged Formula One to refocus on racing rather than celebrity spectacle, adding, “The other stuff is fine, but don’t lose sight of the main event. For me, they go too far with the celebrity and partner shots.”
He also commented on the growing VIP presence in the paddock, joking, “Sometimes there are so many people you can barely walk. We use bikes or scooters just to get around.”
The rise of the *Drive to Survive* series has expanded F1’s younger audience and boosted its U.S. popularity, placing drivers in the spotlight beyond the track. This has fueled interest in their personal lives—Mercedes, for example, drew 7.8 million views for a clip of George Russell’s partner reacting to his win.
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