F1 going soft as journalist tough questions rebuked – Formula One is at risk of losing much of its back story which creates drama and entertainment for the fans as in recent times the journalistic integrity of those covering the sport is being brought into disrepute. The FIA press conferences, once a spicy affair in the days of Bernie Ecclestone, are now cosy occasions where the drivers face little challenge from those present.
The questions at these occasions are often anaemic and lacking any penetrative investigation. The drivers are more skilled in their PR management often answering a different question from the one they were asked.
There is a cosy feeling about the press who follow the F1 circuit around the world and at times almost a fear of asking difficult questions. Its as the sports writers upset an individual or a team, they will be blacklisted in future.
Red Bull boycott Sky interviews
This occurred back in 2022, following Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz doing a piece for his notebook, which stated Lewis Hamilton “was robbed” at the season finale the previous year. The Mercedes driver had been beaten by Max Verstappen to the drivers’ crown on the final lap of the final race in Abu Dhabi in controversial circumstances
Red Bull took umbrage over the matter and Verstappen along with the team boycotted all of the Sky platforms at the subsequent Mexican Grand Prix. In his piece to camera, Kravitz was creating a Hollywood style fake movie narrative based on the premise that the race at the Circuit of the America’s would finally be Hamilton’s comeback, having failed to win a race since the fateful day in Abu Dhabi.
“[Hamilton] doesn’t win a race all year, and then finally comes back at a track where he could win the first race all year, battling the same guy who won the race he was robbed in the previous year, and manages to finish ahead of him. What a script and a story that would have been. But that’s not the way the script turned out today, was it?,” said Kravitz.
The boycott continued for just one race weekend, with Red Bull boss Christian Horner explaining the reasoning. “Well, I think the accusation that the championship was being robbed is we don’t feel an impartial commentary, so obviously, we don’t feel it’s fair or balanced. I think the world we live in is always hungry for headlines and I think there needs to be a responsibility from the broadcasters not to feed those.”
Rosberg challenges Verstappen Snr
“Max was very upset about it, and as a team, we support him fully and equally we were upset about it so I took the decision that we’ll have a weekend off,” revealed Horner.
In Belgium, Sky were to upset another member of the Verstappen family, when on Martin Brundle’s grid walk Nico Rosberg who was with the British TV presenter accosted Jos just minutes before the start of the Grand Prix.
Jos Verstappen has been a vocal critic of Christian Horner over the last eighteen months and Rosberg poked the bear by questioning whether Jos had anything to do with his recent dismissal as Red Bull team principal. “Last year, you said Horner needs to go because he’s destroying the team,” the 2016 driver’s champion started.
Verstappen Snr responded by suggesting times had moved on, saying: “That was one and a half years ago. It’s different. I have nothing to say. It’s fine.” Rosberg pressed the matter replying, “Now you are quiet?” In a barbed reference to the well known outspoken nature of Jos. To which the Dutchman softly replied, “I’m always quiet.”
Russell’s theory on Ferrari “illegal ride height” challenged
Schumacher criticises ‘petulant’ Stroll
At the following weekend in Hungary, TJ13 received a number of reports that the Red Bull team were unhappy once again with Sky’s treatment of Verstappen’s father although for now no boycott of Sky was instigated.
However, reports in Germany are claiming that Aston Martin have now boycotted Sky Sports Germany because commentator Ralf Schumacher was critical of Lance Stroll – the son of the team’s owner.
The comments which have drawn the Silverstone team’s ire were made following their home race at the British Grand Prix. There the Canadian driver had unloaded an expletive ridden message over tam radio which concluded with Lance saying: “I mean it’s the worst piece of shit I’ve ever driven in my life, to be honest.”
As is their job Schumacher and the Sky Germany team poured over the events of the afternoon, with Lance Stroll’s dramatic outburst an obvious moment on which to reflect. “I have to say, that statement is very disappointing, and quite honestly, it’s a question of upbringing. You have to imagine the external impact,” Schumacher added. “The mechanics work day in and day out so that those two can race, and then the boss’s son comes along and says that.
“I have to say, that’s completely unacceptable – an absolute no-go. It’s unspeakable and indicates a poor upbringing. I really don’t know what movie he’s living in, but it’s a shame to ruin his own result like that.”
Aston Martin snub Sky Germany
That day, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll completed their first double points scoring race of the year and it was the Canadian’s first points finish since the second round of the year back in China. “It was a big celebration at the Aston Martin factory,” Schumacher continued. “They set up a big tent in front of the factory. And they are important points for the team, which come with important bonuses for the mechanics and the staff.
Ralf appeared to advice daddy Stroll on how the matter should be handled as he concluded, “when the person who does the race ruins it like that, you have to say ‘sit down, son, and apologise to the team’.”
For Aston Martin to boycott Ralf Schumacher, who whilst blunt and speaks his mind, was making observations which were ‘fair comment reflects badly on the organisation. Any commentator worth his salt would criticise the kind of behaviour Stroll displayed and the effects on the team of his rant were a mere observation of reality by Schumacher.
F1 needs to retain its sense of drama and spice up the many rivalries, otherwise it will become bland entertainment along with processional racing. Teams should play their part in this endeavour and answer the questions they would rather not – and F1 writers should have no fear of being black listed.
2026: The real “confrontation” for Hamilton
While Lewis Hamilton is clearly struggling at Ferrari, former world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes it will be next year where the Ferrari man faces his real “confrontation.” The former Mercedes driver is suffering his worst start to a season in his entire F1 career, with no podiums from the first fourteen Grand Prix.
He is lagging behind his team mate Charles Leclerc and is 10-4 down in qualifying and 12-2 behind in terms of finishing positions. Lewis endured a horrendous weekend in Hungary at a circuit where he has dominated over the years, claiming a record eight victories at the Hungaroring.
A poor qualifying session saw him start the grand Prix in twelfth place and while Lewis ran as high as seventh, when the strategies unwound he found himself back where he began at the chequered flag….. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
