In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where every tenth of a second counts and on-track battles are the lifeblood of the sport, a growing disconnect is brewing between what the fans want to see and what they are being shown. The roar of the engines and the thrill of wheel-to-wheel racing are increasingly being replaced by fleeting glimpses of celebrities, supermodels, and drivers’ partners in the paddock. This shift in focus, driven by Liberty Media’s vision for a more entertainment-centric F1, has sparked a firestorm of criticism from fans and, now, from the drivers themselves.

The tipping point came after the Singapore Grand Prix, a race that should have been celebrated for its on-track drama and thrilling overtakes. Instead, it became a symbol of everything that is wrong with F1’s current TV direction. While crucial battles were unfolding on the track, the world feed, controlled by Formula 1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, repeatedly cut away to show reaction shots of celebrities and drivers’ girlfriends.

One of the most egregious examples was the complete disregard for Carlos Sainz’s incredible charge through the field. After a late pit stop, the Ferrari driver carved his way from 15th to a points-paying 10th-place finish, a feat of skill and determination that went almost entirely unseen by the millions watching at home. At the same time, the cameras were fixated on the less-than-thrilling sight of Lando Norris trailing Max Verstappen, a battle that, while important for the championship, offered little in the way of actual racing action.

The frustration among fans, which had been simmering for seasons, finally boiled over. Social media was flooded with complaints, with viewers expressing their anger and disbelief at the poor quality of the coverage. But it wasn’t just the fans who were left fuming. For the first time, a prominent driver broke the ranks and publicly slammed the TV direction.

In a scathing critique, Carlos Sainz did not hold back, calling out the coverage for going “overboard” with its focus on celebrities and girlfriends. Speaking to Spanish media, he expressed his frustration at having his hard-fought overtakes ignored in favor of reaction shots that added little to the viewing experience. “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 it has worked in the past,” Sainz conceded. “But they only should if the competition is respected and you’re always showing the important moments of the race.”

Sainz’s comments struck a chord with fans who have long felt that the sport is losing its soul in pursuit of a wider, more casual audience. The constant cutaways to famous faces in the garage, while perhaps appealing to a new demographic, are alienating the die-hard fans who tune in for the racing. The Singapore Grand Prix was a perfect storm of everything that has gone wrong. Not only was Sainz’s charge ignored, but so was Fernando Alonso’s relentless pursuit of Lewis Hamilton, who was struggling with a terminal brake issue in the final laps.

This is not a new problem, but it is one that has been getting progressively worse under Liberty Media’s ownership. Since taking over the commercial rights to Formula 1 in 2017, the American company has been credited with a massive surge in the sport’s popularity. Record viewership figures, ballooning team valuations, and a growing global fanbase are all testaments to their success. However, this success has come at a cost.

In their quest to turn F1 into a global entertainment brand, Liberty Media has prioritized spectacle over sport. The focus has shifted from the on-track action to the off-track drama, from the drivers’ skill to their personal lives. The result is a broadcast that often feels more like a reality TV show than a serious sporting event. And because Liberty Media controls the world feed, which is sent to every broadcaster around the globe, there is no escape for fans. Whether you’re watching on Sky Sports, ESPN, or F1 TV, you are seeing the same sanitized, celebrity-obsessed version of the sport.

The problem for fans is that there is no easy solution. The centralized nature of the broadcast means that viewers have no choice but to accept what they are given. And things may be about to get even worse, especially for fans in the United States.

Apple is reportedly on the verge of securing a deal to broadcast Formula 1 in the US, taking over from ESPN. The deal, which is said to be worth a staggering $140 million a year, could have significant consequences for fans. Not only is it likely to lead to an increase in subscription prices, but it could also see the end of F1 TV in the US. Apple is reportedly unhappy with the idea of competing with F1’s own streaming service and is pushing for an exclusivity agreement similar to the one Sky has in the UK, where F1 TV is limited to heritage content.

If this were to happen, it would be a major blow to fans, who would be left with fewer choices and higher prices. A reduction in streaming options is always a bad thing for consumers, and in a sport that is already becoming increasingly expensive to follow, it could push many fans away.

The growing frustration with F1’s TV coverage is a clear sign that the sport is at a crossroads. While Liberty Media’s efforts to grow the sport are commendable, they cannot afford to alienate their core fanbase in the process. The fans who have supported the sport for decades, who live and breathe for the thrill of the race, are the ones who are being left behind.

Carlos Sainz’s brave decision to speak out has brought the issue to the forefront, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to force a change. For the sake of the sport, one can only hope that Liberty Media is listening. Formula 1 is, and always should be, about the racing. It’s time the TV coverage remembered that.