Daniel Ricciardo was mocked on F1 TV ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix as the broadcaster poked fun at the Australian’s poor form at McLaren. While showing footage of Ricciardo ahead of the race, F1 TV’s stream showed a graphic describing the McLaren star as “struggling again”
The footage appeared on F1 TV’s pre-race build-up show and not during the world feed used by broadcasters. However, Twitter user @f1broadcasting, who analyzes TV coverage of motorsport, slammed the decision to use the caption.
He said: “The @danielricciardo / @F1 TV graphic that is making the rounds is legitimate, and is taken from the F1 TV DutchGP pre-race show. I’ve no idea if graphics are normally editorialized on the pre-race shows, however this is unprofessional from F1.
“There’s a difference between ‘Magnificent Max’, as an example on the SkyF1 trail before a break, and something presented as an official graphic in a pre-race show. Needs to be presented differently if F1 wants to do that as part of the pre-race offering.
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“Worth adding that the F1 TV DutchGP pre-race show is, of course, only available to F1 TV subscribers, so it’s not part of the actual race World Feed ‘per se’. The F1 TV pre and post race shows are presenting different views. Should the graphics as well? Gray area.”
F1 fans took to the Australian’s defense moments after the graphic appeared on screen. @DaveGaming73 said: “Interesting to see @F1 always claiming to be against toxic behavior and [harassment]just to be a prime example of toxicity when Ricciardo is ‘struggling again’.”
But, some fans were left to admit the comments were correct after a poor season from Ricciardo. @STP_KITT added: “FOM is a bunch of amateurs anyway, though what’s wrong with that caption when Ricciardo was indeed struggling again?”
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Ricciardo has scored just four points finishes this season as he continues to struggle at McLaren. The 33-year-old was told McLaren would not be renewing his services over the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.
However, they had already signed up highly-rated rookie Oscar Piastri after the British Grand Prix. Earlier this season, McLaren boss Zak Brown said Ricciardo had not met the team’s expectations as he failed to match team-mate Lando Norris.
