F1 tv reporter dragged off grid whereas mid-interview with Max Verstappen
A TV reporter was unceremoniously hauled off the grid during a pre-race interview with Max Verstappen at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
About 10 minutes before the race at Imola, Rachel Brookes from Sky Sports was awaiting her opportunity to chat with the world champion and pole-sitter. At the time, Verstappen was engaged in conversation with a Viaplay presenter, who air F1 coverage in the Netherlands.
Just as Verstappen made his way onto the grid, still conversing with the network’s reporter, an official apprehended him, evidently due to lack of the necessary accreditation. He was then forcefully escorted away (via the Mirror).
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Verstappen and Brookes both reacted, Verstappen with apparent concern and Brookes with uneasy laughter, before she quickly asked the Dutchman a few questions. The unexpected incident left viewers aghast, with several criticising the event official for being overly aggressive.
One viewer commented: “I get he didn’t have a pass but he could’ve been a bit nicer. No need to manhandle him like that.”
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(Image: Sky Sports F1)
Another viewer asked: “lol why was he getting dragged like that? ” A third hypothesised: “He forgot his grid sticker.” One person suggested: “Sometimes I feel like the only media they respect is British Sky Sports.” A fifth user stated light-heartedly: “Can’t wait for the memes to come from this.”
In qualifying, Verstappen had brushed aside any threats posed by McLaren to equalise the record set by Ayrton Senna of eight back-to-back pole positions. In the same location where Senna had tragically lost his life three decades ago, Verstappen stood in parallel to the Brazilian racing legend.
Lando Norris secured a spot on the front row after his McLaren team-mate, Oscar Piastri, received a three-place grid penalty for blocking Kevin Magnussen’s Haas in Q1. Verstappen said: “It’s 30 years since he passed away, so it is very special and I am very pleased to get pole and in a way, it’s a nice memory to him.”
“He was an incredible F1 driver, especially in qualifying. A great day for him, a great day for the team. I’m very, very happy.”
Before being bumped up to second place, Norris added: “P3 is not a bad job and we were within a tenth of P1. It is tiny margins but the team has had a very good weekend. It is exciting because it is close and I cannot wait until tomorrow.”
