Rebecca Donaldson and Carlos Sainz - Photo: Race Pictures

Girlfriends instead of overtakes? - F1 broadcast choice questioned

15:19, 08 Oct

2 Comments

byKada Sarkozi

Carlos Sainz questions the decision to show drivers’ partners instead of overtakes at the Singapore Grand Prix.

“[They only should] if the competition is respected and you are always showing the important moments of the race."

- Carlos Sainz

Over the Singapore Grand Prix, many drivers' girlfriends, including Margarida Corceiro (partner of Lando Norris) and Rebecca Donaldson (partner of Sainz) were shown on the broadcast instead of focusing on the on-track action.

Watching the TV broadcast, fans missed Sainz’s overtakes on the soft tyres to score a point after starting from P18 on the grid, as well as Fernando Alonso chasing Lewis Hamilton after the British world champion experienced brake issues.

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Sainz also questioned that decision on the programme El Partidazo de COPE. "It's becoming a bit of a trend, which must have worked for them once upon a time, when people found it interesting to see our girlfriends, to see famous people on TV, the reactions."

"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 if they have seen that it has worked in the past," he explained.

“But [they only should] if the competition is respected and you are always showing the important moments of the race.

"They missed a lot of things," Sainz said reflecting on his and Alonso's chase in Singapore, who also added that driver need to go around in scooters in the paddock because of the number of VIPs present.

Lando Norris's partner, Margarida Corceiro, was also shown during the Singapore GP - Photo: Race Pictures

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