Carlos Sainz slates F1 broadcasting 'girlfriend trend'

Carlos Sainz has stated F1 television directors go “overboard” by showing celebrities and drivers' girlfriends during sessions.

Sainz enjoyed a positive race last time out in Singapore, rising from the back of the grid following a post-qualifying disqualification to 10th place at the chequered flag.

However, there was very little coverage of the Spaniard's surge through the field during the race.

There was also no live images shown of Fernando Alonso's pursuit of Lewis Hamilton on the final lap, as the Aston Martin driver closed in on seventh place while Hamilton limped home with a brake problem. Only four-tenths of a second separated the pair at the chequered flag.

During the race, however, there were many cutaway shots of some of the drivers' girlfriends - a theme that has been present for some time.

“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,” Sainz told Spanish radio station El Partidazo de COPE.

“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.

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

“Last weekend they didn’t show any of the four of five overtakes I did at the end. Nor did they show Fernando’s pursuit of Lewis … they missed a lot of things.”

Sainz has urged F1 to place priority on the on-track action and divert the cameras away from family members and guests watching on from the garages.

“The other [thing] is fine but don’t lose sight of the main thing. For me, they go overboard a little showing the celebrities and girlfriends.

“Sometimes there are so many VIPs in the paddock you can’t even walk. We move by bike or scooter [in the paddock] because if you don’t, you just can’t get around.”