The Miami Grand Prix 2024 was perhaps the most competent of the Florida event formula 1 It’s not being shown yet – other than the fact that the men in the trackside commentary booth simply couldn’t get a normal picture of the young women they were taking part in F1 Academy. The all-female junior series held two races at the Florida track this weekend, but the trackside commentary team was keen to make sure it wasn’t being sexist by regularly commenting on the drivers’ performances.
Disappointing reports about the Miami Grand Prix track commentary team emerged on Saturday at the conclusion of the first F1A race of the weekend. Alexandra Klasinski, a Microsoft project manager who attended the Miami Grand Prix as a fan, went to X to share her frustration. She noticed both that that Commentators on the side of the track I couldn’t help but preface her thoughts with “not being sexist…” while at the same time adding the “Girl” urged the audience to “put down their phones” to watch the race.
Other social media user took to the Internet to share their own experiences Experiencesalthough it is also noted that the Grand Prix organizers also have one planned Steve Aoki concert in the middle of the F1A races on the race track.
The Commentary on the side of the track at the Miami Grand Prix was provided by Speed City Broadcasting, which calls itself America’s radio voice of Formula 1 thanks to its Sirius talk show about motorsports. Speed City Broadcasting’s X account shared an image Advertising his at-track PA commentary team for the weekend, consisting of Jon Massengale, Bob Varsha and Jonathan Green. It is unclear who made the highly controversial statements or felt compelled to comment on race winner Abbi Pulling’s appearance or age. It is also important to note that this team is contracted for commentary at the Miami circuit and are not full-time employees of Formula 1 or the Miami Grand Prix.
Jalopnik reached out to Miami Grand Prix organizers for comment and received the following statement from a spokesperson for South Florida Motorsports:
The inappropriate comment during Saturday’s F1 Academy race was brought to our attention and immediately addressed. The comments expressed are unacceptable and do not reflect on the Miami Grand Prix or its organizers. We were proud to support the F1 Academy this weekend and will continue to do so as they work to increase diversity and representation in motorsport.
Consistent with South Florida Motorsports’ statement, Klasinski also noted that Saturday’s comment was highly inappropriate, although he appeared to have improved for Sunday’s race.
The commentary situation at the F1 Academy track is as deeply discouraging as it is inappropriate. Motorsport was forced to create a women-only series to give female drivers a chance to be taken seriously in the Formula 1 rankings. But it seems that many men remain unable to approach this series or its competitors with the sincerity, legitimacy, or respect that would naturally be given to young men in the same position.
If you somehow need a reminder in this Year of Our Lord 2024: If you can’t formulate a thought about a woman without the warning that your words might be sexist, then it’s high time you consider leaving the talking to the professionals who are familiar with motorsports – all Motorsport – seriously.