FIA revokes Daily Mail writer Jonathan McEvoy's F1 accreditation over Leclerc column

Right · 2The FIA, Formula One's governing body, has withdrawn the media accreditation of Daily Mail motor racing correspondent Jonathan McEvoy for the rest of the 2026 season, with immediate effect. 1 2 Right · 2McEvoy learned of the decision on Thursday, after an opinion column dated Nov. 4 in which he called Leclerc a "sneaky little bastard". 2 1 Right · 1The column followed an opening-lap clash between Leclerc and team-mate Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico City Grand Prix; Hamilton had questioned Leclerc's mentality afterwards. 1

Right · 1Reuters, carried by Arab News, reported that both drivers went off the track at Turn 4 while battling for the lead, that Leclerc emerged ahead and Max Verstappen passed Hamilton for second, and that Leclerc received a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage off the track. 2 Right · 1The Daily Mail says the column also revealed details of a tense post-race debrief with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur. 1 Right · 1In a letter from FIA general manager Alberto Villarreal, the FIA said the article "falls short of the standards of professionalism expected of media representatives accredited to cover the FIA Formula One World Championship" and that it was using its discretion under the 2026 accreditation guidelines. 1

Right · 1The FIA said its guidelines allow it to revoke credentials without notice and that the decision does not stop the Daily Mail from sending another reporter. 2 Right · 1McEvoy is barred from the Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix, and the Daily Mail announced on Friday that it would not report on races or news conferences for the rest of 2026 in protest. 2 Right · 1Daily Mail head of sport Chris Dean called the move "an unprecedented and outrageous attack on the freedom of the Press", described the criticism as "mild and fair", and demanded McEvoy's immediate reinstatement. 1

Right · 1Former F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone told the Daily Mail the decision was "crazy" and "completely mad". 1 Right · 1The Society of Editors also condemned the decision, arguing that withdrawing accreditation over published criticism threatens independent sports journalism. 2 Right · 1In a later column McEvoy suggested Vasseur had prompted the FIA's action, but a Ferrari source told The Athletic that Vasseur had not lodged a complaint. 2

Right · 1McEvoy says he was told his accreditation would be reinstated next season; the FIA had not publicly confirmed that. 2