British newspaper boycotts F1 as FIA bans journalist after Leclerc column
The Daily Mail has decided to boycott Formula 1 after the FIA revoked journalist Jonathan McEvoy's accreditation following a controversial column on Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Key points
- The journalist, reacting to his ban, appeared to lay the blame on Fred Vasseur, accusing the Ferrari team principal of 'grassing' him up, in an explosive column in which he also described the Frenchman as a 'tubby little nobody'.
- He has attended his final race of 2026 after the FIA revoked his press pass with immediate affect, meaning he can no longer attend the final three races in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
- Despite McEvoy's claims, there is no proof that Ferrari or Vasseur had anything to do with his suspension and ultimately, it is down to the FIA to revoke press passes.
Daily Mail journalist banned after Leclerc criticism The decision to suspend McEvoy for the remainder of the 2026 season comes after a column he wrote in the wake of the Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton drama at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Additional details
- During the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen refused to take part in a media session while Guardian journalist Giles Richards was present.
- McEvoy received a letter on Thursday from FIA director Alberto Villarreal confirming that his accreditation had been revoked.
- “We are entering dangerous territory when the FIA responds so harshly to mild and justified criticism of a driver,” he said.
- McEvoy has worked as the British newspaper's Formula 1 correspondent for 21 years, attending almost 400 Grands Prix.
- The Daily Mail have again hit back as what it describes as a 'draconian' ban on McEvoy and in return insists they won't report on races or press conferences for the final three races of the season.
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