In a recent turn of events, Formula 1 driver Oliver Bearman has come forward to clear the air regarding his controversial on-air “ciao” during the Chinese Grand Prix. It was previously reported that the triumphant cheer was directed at his competitor Carlos Sainz, but Bearman has now set the record straight, stating that the timing of the Formula 1 management’s (FOM) broadcast led to the misunderstanding.
The FOM’s decision to selectively air certain radio messages during the race has been a bone of contention among teams and spectators alike. Particularly, the omission of Lewis Hamilton’s offer to let Charles Leclerc pass him on the track, followed by the airing of messages implying a battle between the two, has stirred significant controversy.
Ferrari team principal, Fred Vasseur, has not held back his criticism for the FOM’s handling of the situation. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the broadcast, accusing the FOM of intentionally manufacturing drama. “Lewis asked us to swap, but to make the show, to create the mess around the situation, they broadcast only the second part of the question,” Vasseur told reporters in Shanghai.
In response to Vasseur’s allegations, a spokesperson from F1 defended the broadcast, stating that the omission of Hamilton’s message was not intentional, but due to other developments during the race.
This wasn’t the only instance where FOM’s broadcast raised eyebrows. Bearman, the Ferrari junior and recent Haas signing, found himself in the midst of controversy when his exuberant “ciao” was broadcast during an overtake. However, Bearman has now clarified that the comment was not aimed at Sainz, but rather was a reaction to his successful switchback moves against Liam Lawson and one of the Alpines.
In a conversation with Channel 4, Bearman expressed his regret over the misunderstanding. He explained that he was merely expressing his excitement over his successful racing maneuver, and had no intention to insult Sainz. “I feel really, really bad for saying that,” Bearman said.
Despite the controversies surrounding the race, the Haas team had a successful run in China, securing a double points haul with Esteban Ocon and Bearman finishing in the fifth and eighth positions respectively. This came after the Ferrari team-mates were disqualified due to technical infringements.
Bearman has expressed surprise at the results, considering the Haas VF-25 car’s known dislike for bumpy tracks like Shanghai’s. He cautions against expecting similar results in future races, stating, “I’m not sure this is gonna be the way for the rest of the year.”
This incident has once again brought to the forefront the influence of media management in shaping public perceptions in sports. The selective broadcasting of on-track communications not only impacts the dynamics between the teams but also influences the fans’ perception of the events.