Veteran and effectively revered Components 1 journalist Jonathan McEvoy, who’s the Each day Mail’s F1 and sports activities author, has been banned by the FIA for the rest of the 2026 season.
McEvoy found that his everlasting media go for 2026 had been suspended after receiving a communication from the Basic Supervisor of FIA, Alberto Villarreal Gutiérrez, and never from the President’s workplace or the media division as would have been extra standard for issues like this
The Briton had made sure feedback in a latest opinion piece for the Each day Mail with respect to Ferrari and Charles Leclerc after the Monegasque’s controversial incident with team-mate Lewis Hamilton on the latest Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.
Writing in his weekly column for the highly regarded Each day Mail, McEvoy believes the ban has been initiated on the behest of the Maranello-based workforce.
“As set out within the 2026 FIA Components One World Championship Tips, media accreditation is granted on the sole discretion of the FIA and could also be revoked at any time with out discover. The Tips state that the best requirements of equity and professionalism are anticipated at the least requirement for media accreditation,” mentioned an FIA spokesperson.
McEvoy, due to this fact, is not going to be on the bottom to cowl the races at Las Vegas, Qatar and the season-finale on the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.
In response, the Each day Mail have proven solidarity with McEvoy, saying a boycott from overlaying F1 after what they imagine to be “an unprecedented and outrageous assault on the liberty of the press”.
“We’re in harmful territory when the FIA react in such a heavy-handed option to some delicate and truthful criticism of 1 driver,” the Each day Mail’s Head of Sport Chris Dean mentioned of the matter.
“Jonathan McEvoy is a fearless and first-rate journalist who takes readers behind the scenes of F1’s shiny exterior. The FIA ought to reinstate his accreditation instantly.”
Bernie Ecclestone voices assist after Jonathan McEvoy’s F1 ban
Ecclestone, who was on the helm of the game till handing over the reins to Liberty Media in 2017, got here out in assist of the veteran sports activities journalist.
The 96-year-old lauded McEvoy for the “improbable” job he’s achieved in overlaying F1, and branded the transfer as “fully mad”.
“I don’t know why the FIA would ever try this,” Ecclestone mentioned. “Aside from the very fact I like Jon, he’s doing a improbable job.
“I stay up for studying what he’s writing. I don’t must, it’s my alternative to do this. I feel it’s fully mad.”
McEvoy reveals large paddock assist after FIA ban
The FIA’s resolution to levy this three-race ban has divided opinions amongst the motorsport fraternity.
McEvoy revealed that within the aftermath of this resolution, he has obtained a swarm of assist.
“I’ve simply been flattered by the messages of assist I’ve obtained from buddies throughout the sport, from present drivers and previous drivers, and senior and junior figures in numerous capacities,” he advised Motorsport Week.
McEvoy will resume his duties within the paddock as standard from the 2027 season onwards, along with his accreditation set to be restored after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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