Last season the entire F1 paddock had to improvise enormously. In March everyone was ready for the start of the season, but that was eventually postponed to the beginning of July. In the six months that followed, a lot happened around the F1 paddock, with drivers who had to be replaced at the last minute, such as Nico Hulkenberg at the Nurburgring. According to Jack Plooij there is also a personal striking event in the 2020 season. 

After qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, Plooij spoke with Lando Norris about an incident with Esteban Ocon. The Dutch pit reporter Ocon called the incident 'That French Fuck'. The images went all over the world and Plooij could count on a lot of criticism. "That was also due to the whole situation with corona. Normally I decide what is said, but now a microphone is constantly open for the drivers," explains Plooij.

Renault with extreme reaction

In the end, it was decided in Hilversum to put the excerpt online, which meant that Plooij had to defend himself several times in the F1 paddock. "The FOM did receive a letter from Renault, only the press officer of Renault went much too far afterwards. He told me it was racism, but then I exploded. I will not let myself be called a racist just like that", says Plooij in conversation with Motorsport.com.

“Fortunately, Esteban himself reacted to a Tweet that I had put down myself and in the end Esteban also accepted my apologies and that was my greatest salvation, because then everyone thought: 'Oh, it's all innocent'", concludes Plooij.