The 2024 Miami Grand Prix, held in Florida, showcased thrilling F1 action. However, behind the scenes, controversy brewed as the trackside commentary team stumbled into a sensitive issue related to the F1 Academy—an all-female junior racing series.
The F1 Academy, designed to promote diversity and representation in motorsport, features talented female drivers. These young women aspire to make their mark in a traditionally male-dominated arena. Their participation is not just about racing; it’s about challenging stereotypes and inspiring future generations.
The Commentary Misstep of F1 Commentary
The commentary team couldn’t resist commenting on the appearance of the female drivers. Despite prefacing their thoughts with “not to be sexist,” their focus on looks overshadowed the racing achievements. Such commentary perpetuates harmful stereotypes and undermines the hard work and skill of these athletes.
Same commentators just said “girls put your phones down it’s time to watch”. What the hell @f1miami https://t.co/zksVFHzfNG
— Alexandra Klasinski (@alexandrak) May 4, 2024
The commentators instructed “girls” in the audience to put down their phones and watch the racing. This condescending tone disregarded the intelligence and enthusiasm of female fans. Fans attend races to witness thrilling competition, not to be patronized based on gender.
“The most horrifying part of being at the circuit when @f1academy is racing is that it takes more than 1 hand to count how many times the commentators have started a sentence with “not to be sexist but…” whenever they’re on track.
Adding to the controversy, Grand Prix organizers scheduled a Steve Aoki concert during Formula 1 Academy’s on-track sessions. This decision diverted attention away from the young female drivers. It’s essential to prioritize the racing events and give the Formula 1 Academy the spotlight it deserves.
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