“He insulted Charles Leclerc,” the FIA shows no leniency: he’s been kicked out of the F1 paddock
The FIA has decided to revoke the press credentials of British journalist Jonathan McEvoy, the Daily Mail’s motorsports correspondent, following the publication of an article he authored that the International Federation deemed derogatory toward Charles Leclerc. The decision has sparked a heated debate about freedom of expression in Formula 1 and the way the FIA itself handles its relations with the media.
McEvoy, who has been covering Formula 1 on the track for over twenty years, recently received a written notice from the FIA informing him that his accreditation had been revoked until the end of the 2026 season. This means he will not be able to cover the final three scheduled Grand Prix races—those in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi—from the paddock.
The decision stemmed from an opinion piece published on November 4 in the Daily Mail, in which McEvoy had referred to Leclerc using a vulgar expression (“sneaky little b…”, corresponding in Italian to “furbetto del c…”), following a near-collision with his teammate Lewis Hamilton in the opening turns of the Mexican Grand Prix. The letter sent to McEvoy by Alberto Villarreal, the FIA’s general manager, emphasizes that the article “does not meet the standards of professionalism expected of media outlets accredited for the F1 World Championship.”
The FIA has therefore decided to exercise its discretion, as provided for in the accreditation guidelines for the 2026 season, by revoking McEvoy’s accreditation effective immediately. According to the Federation, this measure is necessary to protect the integrity and professionalism of the media environment surrounding Formula 1.
The FIA’s decision sparked a sharp reaction from the Daily Mail, which called the move “an outrageous and unprecedented attack on press freedom.” Chris Dean, the newspaper’s sports editor, called it a “disproportionate reaction to legitimate criticism” on the part of the Federation. The newspaper also announced a boycott of Formula 1 coverage, emphasizing that the revocation of accreditation sets a “worrying precedent for freedom of expression in the world of motorsport.”
McEvoy also accused Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, of reporting his article to the FIA, suggesting that Vasseur was the one who pushed for the revocation of his press credentials. The British journalist denied any wrongdoing regarding his comments about Charles Leclerc, describing them as “lighthearted and playful, not a personal attack.”
However, a source within Ferrari, speaking anonymously to The New York Times, denied that Vasseur had filed any complaint with the FIA. The Federation, for its part, has no intention of backing down, believing that McEvoy crossed the line by disrespecting Leclerc.
