FIA bans British journalist for rest of the season after Leclerc jibe
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 FIA has suspended British journalist Jonathan McEvoy for the remainder of the Formula 1 season after a column in which he called Charles Leclerc a 'sneaky little b******' following the Mexican Grand Prix.
McEvoy has been the Daily Mail's motorsport correspondent for 21 years, attending more than 400 Formula One Grands Prix as part of his role. His criticism of Leclerc came after the Mexican GP, where Max Verstappen took victory after Leclerc's failed opening lap move on Hamilton for the lead.
The British journalist also reported details of a “tense” post-race debrief with Frédéric Vasseur, the Ferrari team principal.
The Daily Mail confirmed that McEvoy was informed on Thursday that he would be suspended for the final three races of the season. He received a letter from Alberto Villarreal, the general manager of the FIA, who is said to have written: "The FIA believes that your article does not meet the professional standards expected of media representatives accredited to cover the FIA Formula 1 World Championship."
Responding in a follow-up column to his suspension, McEvoy alleges that Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur "grassed" on him and described him as a "tubby little nobody". Speaking about Vasseur, he added: "A chuckling buffoon well out of his depth at the world’s most prestigious team, he is a prickly character and I don’t like him and he doesn’t like me."
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McEvoy to miss the final three races of the F1 season
The FIA official explained the reasons behind McEvoy’s exclusion for the rest of the season.
“Alberto told me in the kindest possible way that my accreditation was being withdrawn until the end of this year. It would be reinstated at the beginning of next season. He stressed that he deeply regretted having to tell me. He also said that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali liked me.”
According to McEvoy, the decision to restrict the suspension to this season was linked to there being little left at stake in the closing races.
Former F1 chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone, defender McEvoy, telling the Mail: "It's crazy. I don't know why the FIA would ever do that. Apart from the fact I like Jon, he is doing a fantastic job."
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“I look forward to reading what he’s writing. I don’t have to, it’s my choice to do that. I think it’s completely mad.”
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