British Media Called Out After Verstappen's Brazil Grand Prix Win
Nov.6 - Prominent British journalists have hit back at Max Verstappen's insinuation of clear bias in their reporting and coverage of Formula 1.
After his impressive win from P17 on the grid in Brazil, amid hefty criticism of his driving style in recent weeks, the triple world champion noted that the British media appeared to have boycotted the post-race press conference.
"They had to run to the airport?" he quipped. "Or they don't know where the press conference is?"
Will Buxton, a well-known broadcaster for F1TV, called it a "cheeky post-race dig at UK press".
He explained that he hasn't been to a post-race press conference for "years" as broadcaster journalists are busy in the paddock at the time.
"If you're British, then a Lewis (Hamilton), Lando (Norris), George (Russell) in the top three probably gives a bit of sway to being there, but not always," Buxton added.
David Croft, the lead commentator for Sky's UK coverage, agreed.
"Sometimes there's more to a story than just a soundbite or a chance to attack people for perception of British bias," he said, also commenting on Verstappen's post-race jibe.
"For my part, as it's a press conference for written media only, I never attend, no matter who's won," Croft added. "Thursday press conferences are different, they are for broadcast and written media together. Just to help people understand."
Dutch commentator Olav Mol is unconvinced, stating on Ziggo Sport that the "Sky guys really think they are God".
Verstappen's father and co-manager Jos has also been highly critical of alleged pro-British bias recently, declaring to De Telegraaf newspaper after the Brazilian GP: "They (British media) are keeping their big mouths shut for now.
"Max has shown that he is the very best, after all these people shouted that he should change his driving style. His driving style is perfect.
"Even that first lap in the rain, in which he gained six places. He is just always perfect in those conditions."
Jos Verstappen had even called out fellow former F1 driver Johnny Herbert by name, insisting that someone who serves as an FIA steward should not be publicly criticising his son's driving.
This week, Herbert hit back. "I understand that Jos sees it that way, because it concerns his son. But I have always said that I am Johnny Herbert, the steward and the professional, on race weekends, and outside of that I am Johnny Herbert, the analyst, who says what he thinks.
"Why am I not allowed to have an opinion when I'm not at the track?"
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The Brit reporters havnt got it ,this was Max just getting in first, everyone reads it, responding to his comment just makes them look like they are excuses and sour grapes, Max got in first , anything after that looks weak,it doesnt matter whether they are right, that bits irrelevant, but i understand the Brits reporters/commentators and Media, even AN said the same in a recent interview , the Brits love a Hero, an under dog, but just as much as they love building them up, they love knocking em down just as much ,its the same in all sports in the UK
Johnny Herbert doesn't understand that having expressing an opinion about Max's driving as an analyst and being a steward then assessing his driving in a race that it carries a perception of bias even unconscious bias because of his beliefs.
He should not be participating as a steward if he is proffering opinions about the driving of drivers as an analyst whether those opinions are positive or negative , because it works both ways in making a steward decision can be negative then applying a harsher penalty or positive in then applying a light penalty.
Johnny Herbert is corrupt. If he can't connect the dots everyone else seems able to do, then it just confirms that he's got blinders on when it comes to reporting fairly.
The Bloke narrators, typists, pundits and Stewards have typically favored their Bloke drivers - their bias is impossible to miss. With the likes of Crusty, Brundle and their ilk gushing endlessly over Lamb-Chop or Boi George (even the Hamster, when he pulls off the odd pass), and disdaining ALL drivers of German, Austrian or Dutch lineage, how can they huff-and-puff about getting called out on it.
If I can't listen to the brilliant and witty narration of David Coulthard I'd far rather listen to Bernie Collins, Karun Chandhok and Naomi Schiff calling a race.
I'm sick-to-death of Crusty and Bungle.
Johnny Herbert needs a course in ethics 101 and the concept of "appearance of impropriety or bias." Here in the USA, we're stuck with the pathetically pro-Brit bias of the Sky coverage, but we don't like it much at all. And we're pretty damn sick and tired of hearing Lulu whine about the car when George seems to do just fine with it. That will NOT go down well with either the bosses in Maranello or the Italian sporting press.
Hell, Max was just employing a little wit like Lewis’s ‘ is it cos I’m black’. Stewards can’t help but form personal opinions any more than you lot it’s what their judgement is based on.
They don’t always get it right.
Exactly i mean i think premiership referee should after the game speak his mind, i can see that going well lol-- and im not a football fan at all, bunch of girls on mega money , oh hang onnnnn
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