Carlos Sainz furious with F1 TV directors: “They prefer showing VIPs to racing action”. Carlos Sainz criticizes F1’s TV direction after the Singapore GP.

F1 | Carlos Sainz lashes out at TV direction after Singapore Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz Jr. did not hold back after the Singapore Grand Prix, delivering a harsh criticism of Formula 1’s television direction. The Spanish driver accused the international broadcast of prioritizing shots of celebrities and drivers’ partners over the actual on-track battles that defined the race.

Despite starting from eighteenth on the grid due to a Saturday disqualification, the Williams driver pulled off a remarkable recovery drive to finish in tenth place. Thanks to a well-executed strategy and strong teamwork, Carlos Sainz managed to overtake several rivals, including Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar, in the decisive stages of the race.

During an interview with the Spanish radio show El Partidazo de COPE, Sainz expressed clear frustration over what he described as poor coverage of the race at Marina Bay. “They didn’t show any of the four or five overtakes I pulled off in the final laps, nor Fernando’s chase of Lewis… they missed so many things,” said the Spaniard, visibly disappointed by how the event was portrayed to global audiences.

Sainz took aim at what he sees as a growing trend in modern Formula 1 broadcasts — focusing more on the off-track glamour than on racing itself. “Maybe in the past it made sense to show the reactions of the drivers’ girlfriends or VIPs in the paddock, but if you end up missing the most important moments of the race, then it’s pointless. What really matters is respecting the show on track,” he explained.

Is the paddock becoming overcrowded with VIPs?

The Spanish driver also spoke about another issue that has become increasingly evident — the overcrowding of the paddock, now filled with celebrities, influencers, and exclusive guests. “It’s almost impossible to walk around. You either move by bike or scooter, otherwise you can’t get anywhere,” Carlos Sainz commented, highlighting the logistical challenges caused by the influx of non-working attendees.

However, the Madrid-born driver admitted that he still prefers the lively atmosphere of today’s paddock to the quieter scenes of a decade ago. “It’s better to have a paddock full of life, but people should remember that most of us are here to work,” he added, emphasizing the need for a balance between entertainment and professionalism within Formula 1’s growing spectacle.

With his usual blunt honesty, Carlos Sainz voiced a concern shared by many fans and insiders: Formula 1 risks drifting too far toward becoming a glamorous reality show rather than maintaining its identity as a top-level motorsport competition. “It’s fine to have a bit of showbiz, but not at the expense of the racing,” the Spaniard concluded, calling for a renewed focus on the sporting essence that made F1 famous in the first place.