Carlos Sainz has criticised Formula 1’s television coverage, saying it is “going overboard a little” by showing drivers’ girlfriends and celebrities in the paddock while missing key moments of racing action.
The Williams driver voiced his frustration after the Singapore Grand Prix, where he claimed several overtakes and on-track battles went unnoticed because the broadcast focused too heavily on off-track shots.
Speaking in an interview with Spanish radio, Sainz explained that he felt broadcasters were prioritising glamour and personality over the racing itself. “Last weekend they didn’t show any of the four or five overtakes I did at the end,” he said. “Nor did they show Fernando’s pursuit of Lewis — they missed a lot of things.”
Sainz argued that while showing the atmosphere, families, or celebrities adds some flavour to the broadcast, the sport’s essence should remain the racing. “It’s becoming a bit of a trend, which must have worked for them at one time, when people found it interesting to see our girlfriends, to see famous people on TV, the reactions,” he said.
“I understand that if there is an overtake, a very tense moment in the race, it is understandable that the production team might want to show a reaction shot — but only if the competition is respected and you are always showing the important moments of the race.”
The Spaniard added that there is value in showing emotional moments and the personalities connected to drivers, but it should never overshadow the live action. “Don’t lose sight of the main thing,” Sainz said. “For me, they go overboard a little showing the celebrities and girlfriends.”
His frustration stems from the Singapore Grand Prix broadcast, where several overtakes and tactical duels were missed in favour of reaction shots featuring partners and guests in the paddock.
Among the missed moments were Sainz’s charge from 18th to 10th place, and a thrilling late-race battle between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. Instead, the cameras cut away to focus on the grandstands and the VIP areas.
Sainz went further to describe how crowded the paddock has become with invited guests and VIPs, making it difficult for teams and drivers to move around freely. “Sometimes there are so many VIPs in the paddock you can’t even walk,” he said. “We move by bike or scooter in the paddock because if you don’t, you just can’t get around.”
Over recent seasons, criticism has grown that F1’s world feed has leaned too heavily into entertainment, personalities, and glamour, often at the cost of sporting clarity. Some fans argue that the sport is losing its focus on racing precision and competition — the very elements that made Formula 1 compelling in the first place.
Formula 1 officials have insisted that on-track action remains the “central focus” of coverage. Sources close to the production teams have said the goal is to create a more immersive experience that captures both the racing and the personalities that make the sport unique. However, Sainz’s comments highlight a sentiment shared by many drivers who believe the pendulum has swung too far.