Journalist banned from Formula 1 after calling driver ‘sneaky little bastard’

The FIA has withdrawn Daily Mail journalist Jonathan McEvoy’s media accreditation for the rest of the 2026 Formula One season after he described Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc as a “sneaky little bastard” in an opinion-piece headline. The decision follows a clash between Leclerc and teammate Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico Grand Prix, where they drove each other off track while contesting the lead.

The FIA said the 4 November article fell short of expected professional standards, but the ban applies only to McEvoy and the publication may nominate another reporter. Daily Mail head of sport Chris Dean called the move an attack on press freedom and criticised it as heavy-handed. Three races remain in the season.