AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Addressing the ‘British Bias’ Claims: Sky F1 Pundits Defend Recognition of Verstappen’s Achievements

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 7, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Ex-F1 Champion Calls Out Verstappen and Red Bull for Allegations of British Media Bias

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 28: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during day three of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 28, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202502280617 // Usage for editorial use only //

Sky F1 analyst Craig Slater recently addressed the contentious issue of perceived ‘British bias’ within the sport, a notion held by Dutch driver Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s fellow Sky F1 pundit, Naomi Schiff, has asserted that Verstappen’s prowess and accomplishments on the track have never been undervalued.

Verstappen, the four-time World Champion, had drawn sharp criticism from prominent figures such as the 1996 World Champion, Damon Hill, and Johnny Herbert, both former Sky F1 pundits. Verstappen’s run-ins with his 2024 title contender, Lando Norris, on the track, especially after the Mexican GP where he received a 20-second penalty, sparked this criticism. These incidents led Verstappen and his father, Jos, to imply a British media bias as Verstappen competed against British racer Norris. Eventually, Verstappen managed to out-race Norris and clinch his impressive fourth consecutive World Championship.

Slater acknowledged the controversy, stating, “There was a bit of controversy around British bias. That’s what Max perceived, perhaps the British media had against him and maybe in favour of Lando. Those incidents last year were replayed and replayed over and over again. Should we still recognize the great achievement that Max did, winning a championship without the quickest car? Is he going to have to do the same thing again this year, do you sense if he is to win it?”

Schiff, in response to Slater, expressed her belief that Verstappen’s skills and achievements have always been duly recognised. She stated, “Well, first of all, I think his efforts are always recognised. I don’t think there’s any doubt ever about the magic that Max creates when he’s in a race car. He’s got a supernatural talent, and I think he got so much out of that Red Bull that wasn’t even there. He drew every little second out of that car, every little millisecond out of it, and really put on a performance that was truly super respectable.”

Looking ahead to F1 2025, Verstappen’s feedback after a challenging Italian Grand Prix was seen as a pivotal moment in Red Bull’s comeback journey. The team has since been working on rectifying the RB20’s balance issues with their new model, the RB21. However, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes all gunning for the title, Verstappen may not enjoy the same points advantage he had in 2024 after a dominant start.

Schiff added, “But of course, this year is going to be different. No Adrian Newey, for example, although Adrian is going to be working very hard at Aston to get that car a little bit quicker. But it’s going to be a different playing field starting off this season, for sure.”

On the ‘British bias’ debate, Hill accused Red Bull of unfairly using it as a strategy against Sky F1. He stated, “On the whole they’ve always taken the view that Sky are British-centric and biased, which is really unfair I think. Actually, I think there is a desire [the other way]. I don’t think Sky want to be accused of being biased at all. I think they want to be a fair broadcaster of the sport — credit where credit’s due and all that.”

He added, “I like Max. What I don’t like is jingoism. And I don’t like the fact that it became a ‘You’re against us because we’re not British’ and all that nonsense, which was used as a way of pressuring us. It’s utterly unfair to suggest that there is any kind of anti-Dutch thing going on. What can you do? I thought I was there to express my opinion.”

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Tragedy in Poland: Italian Rally Driver Matteo Doretto Killed in Crash During European Championship Preparations
Motorsports

Tragedy in Poland: Italian Rally Driver Matteo Doretto Killed in Crash During European Championship Preparations

Promising 21-year-old dies after Peugeot 208 Rally4 crash near Pasym The European rally community is mourning the loss of Italian...

by David Castro
June 11, 2025
Liam Lawson’s Fiery Aggression Ignites F1 Drama: Blessing or Curse?
Motorsports

Liam Lawson’s Fiery Aggression Ignites F1 Drama: Blessing or Curse?

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Miguel Cunha
June 11, 2025
Frederic Vasseur ignites anticipation as Ferrari aims for Canadian Grand Prix triumph
Motorsports

Frederic Vasseur ignites anticipation as Ferrari aims for Canadian Grand Prix triumph

Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - May 22, 2025 Ferrari team principal Frederic...

by James Taylor
June 11, 2025
Sebastien Bourdais Commands Le Mans Practice, Ignites Cadillac Fury
Motorsports

Sebastien Bourdais Commands Le Mans Practice, Ignites Cadillac Fury

French racing sensation, Sebastien Bourdais, dominated the opening practice session at Le Mans, showcasing his skills behind the wheel of...

by Harry Bright
June 11, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News

Elon Musk de visita a Pequim onde pode apresentar novo piloto automático da Tesla

Tesla customers in France are taking the brand to court because of Elon Musk.

June 11, 2025
Tragedy in Poland: Italian Rally Driver Matteo Doretto Killed in Crash During European Championship Preparations

Tragedy in Poland: Italian Rally Driver Matteo Doretto Killed in Crash During European Championship Preparations

June 11, 2025
Liam Lawson’s Fiery Aggression Ignites F1 Drama: Blessing or Curse?

Liam Lawson’s Fiery Aggression Ignites F1 Drama: Blessing or Curse?

June 11, 2025
Frederic Vasseur ignites anticipation as Ferrari aims for Canadian Grand Prix triumph

Frederic Vasseur ignites anticipation as Ferrari aims for Canadian Grand Prix triumph

June 11, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks