British newspaper boycotts F1 as FIA bans journalist after Leclerc column
Photo: Race Pictures
Kieran is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs and feature content across the F1 calendar. An NQJ-qualified journalist with more than a decade of experience, he has previously written for publications including MailOnline, the Manchester Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press.
The Daily Mail has decided to boycott Formula 1 after the FIA revoked journalist Jonathan McEvoy's accreditation following a controversial column on Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
McEvoy has worked as the British newspaper's Formula 1 correspondent for 21 years, attending almost 400 Grands Prix. He has attended his final race of 2026 after the FIA revoked his press pass with immediate affect, meaning he can no longer attend the final three races in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The Daily Mail have again hit back as what it describes as a 'draconian' ban on McEvoy and in return insists they won't report on races or press conferences for the final three races of the season.
Daily Mail journalist banned after Leclerc criticism
The decision to suspend McEvoy for the remainder of the 2026 season comes after a column he wrote in the wake of the Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton drama at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
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McEvoy in his column described Leclerc as a 'sneaky little b******,' and later said that it was a 'half-humorous column taking Hamilton’s side' after the seven-time world champion himself criticised Leclerc after what he felt was a move that cost Ferrari a 1-2.
The journalist, reacting to his ban, appeared to lay the blame on Fred Vasseur, accusing the Ferrari team principal of 'grassing' him up, in an explosive column in which he also described the Frenchman as a 'tubby little nobody'.
Despite McEvoy's claims, there is no proof that Ferrari or Vasseur had anything to do with his suspension and ultimately, it is down to the FIA to revoke press passes. The governing body can decide to do so if they feel an article is detrimental for the sport.
McEvoy received a letter on Thursday from FIA director Alberto Villarreal confirming that his accreditation had been revoked. According to the governing body, his article failed to meet the professional standards expected of accredited journalists.
Chris Dean, the Daily Mail’s head of sport, described the decision as an unprecedented attack on press freedom. “We are entering dangerous territory when the FIA responds so harshly to mild and justified criticism of a driver,” he said.
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Earlier controversy involving Verstappen
This is not the first time this season that Formula 1’s treatment of journalists has come under scrutiny. During the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen refused to take part in a media session while Guardian journalist Giles Richards was present.
The Dutchman took issue with a question Richards had asked him at the 2025 season finale. Notably, McEvoy defended Verstappen at the time.
Unlike that incident, it is now the FIA itself taking action. For now, the Daily Mail is maintaining its boycott. Whether the FIA is willing to reconsider its decision remains unknown.
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