A recent flashpoint in Formula 1’s TV coverage has reignited a familiar debate: how much screen time should celebrities and drivers’ girlfriends receive during live sessions? Carlos Sainz recently voiced his annoyance with the trend, noting that his charge from the back of the grid to P10 went largely unseen on the world feed, as did Fernando Alonso’s dramatic last-lap chase of Lewis Hamilton. In Singapore, cutaway shots regularly found famous faces and partners in team garages, prompting frustration among fans who felt key on-track stories were missed.
The case for cutting back
- Viewers tune in primarily for racing action; missed battles and key moments undermine the live sporting narrative.
- Frequent cutaways can disrupt the flow of strategy analysis, onboards and sector-by-sector context.
- Fans argue that paddock celebrity content fits better in pre/post-race shows and social media.
The case for keeping them
- Celebrities and partners can broaden F1’s appeal and bring in new audiences beyond hardcore fans.
- Human interest shots offering team and family reactions add emotional texture to the broadcast.
- On a long race weekend, variety in visuals can help balance coverage during quieter green-flag phases.
Where the right balance lies is up for debate. Many would prefer a data-led approach: prioritize live battles, overtakes and strategy pivot points, and use reaction shots opportunistically when the track action ebbs. What’s your view—time to refocus on the racing, or do these moments deserve their place on the world feed?
