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

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/journalist-banned-from-formula-1-after-calling-driver-sneaky-little-bastard/
- Published: 2026-11-13T19:25:02+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T20:35:35+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/13/sports/f1-writer-jonathan-mcevoy-is-banned-over-charles-leclerc-headline/
- Topics: Entertainment, Motorsport, Sport, TV, World

## Key points

- FIA bars Jonathan McEvoy for the rest of the 2026 F1 season.
- The ban follows his headline criticising Charles Leclerc.
- The Daily Mail says the decision threatens press freedom.

## Summary

The FIA has withdrawn Daily Mail journalist Jonathan McEvoy’s media accreditation for the rest of the 2026 Formula One season after he described Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc as a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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.