Daily Mail Boycotts Formula One After Reporter Banned Over Leclerc Column

OPA WIRE, Nov 13 (OPA) — The Daily Mail announced it will cease reporting on races and press conferences for the final three rounds of the 2026 season. The boycott comes in response to the FIA revoking the accreditation of Jonathan McEvoy, who has covered nearly 400 races across 21 years for the publication. On Thursday, FIA general manager Alberto Villarreal informed McEvoy of the ban via letter, stating that his writing fell short of expected professional standards under the 2026 championship guidelines.

McEvoy's column criticized Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, labeling him a "sneaky little b*****d" following an opening-lap collision with teammate Lewis Hamilton at the Mexican Grand Prix. The piece also disclosed details from a post-race debrief involving drivers and Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur. News industry bodies, including the News Media Coalition and the Society of Editors, condemned the FIA's decision, calling the withdrawal of press credentials an abuse of power that threatens independent sports journalism.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between sports authorities and media coverage. Andrew Moger, chief executive of the News Media Coalition, urged the governing body to reinstate McEvoy. Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, noted that using accreditation to punish journalists for critical opinion sets a dangerous precedent for the paddock. Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone also criticized the move, describing the sanction as completely mad.

This incident follows prior friction between drivers, teams, and journalists, including a March dispute at the Japanese Grand Prix involving Max Verstappen and a reporter from The Guardian. The Daily Mail confirmed its sports desk will maintain the boycott until the governing body reverses its stance. The FIA has not yet announced any intention to review the accreditation ban ahead of the upcoming races.