Sky Italy F1 commentators suspended after sexist remarks live on air
Matteo Bobbi and 2012 GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi made the remarks during Sky Italy’s post-race c🍎overage following Sundaꦑy’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Bobbi, who was speaking from the studio,🅰 pointed out a woman in the background and🌠 referred to her as an “upgrade package”.
Valsecchi, who was alongside presenter Federica Masolin in the Barcelona paddock, turned around and responded: “I alreadyꦛ know them but they told me I can’t test them. So I raise my hands.”
Their colleague Masolin, visibly unhappy about the comments, attempted to change the subject, saying: “Can we watch some interviews inꦛstead of these two? Let’s hear from Carlos Sainz, please. Let me censor you.”
Masolin later read out a viewer’s comment: “Fabio is concerned for your physical safety, Matteo and Davide. Will they be safe and sound, afte🍌r this gag, at the next Grand Prix. Appreciated above all by their wives?”
Bobbi and Valsecchi has siꦚnce apologised on their respective social media channels.
Taking to Instagram, Valsecchi wrote: “I'm so sorry, because on Sunday in the post-race I fell into an exchange 💜of bad-tasteful jokes and used unsuitable and disrespectful words. And I'm not.
“This is why I would like to apologise 𒈔to those who felt offended, to 🌳women and to Sky. Really.”
Bobbi said: “After the race I was the protagonist of a jok🦹e that came out in a completely unhappy way, although it was not in my intentions I generated a🍌n unpleasant moment that made the sensitivity of some people suffer. I ended up in gravel.
“Being anything but a disrespectful person I sincerely apologise to those who felt offended by reiterating my total and deep respect for ✨everyone and towards women, particularly starting with the beautiful woman next to me. For 10 years I have been commenting on F1 with the friends of Sky, a family now and in 10 years I had never found myself in such an unpleasant situation.
👍“I've alway💫s thought that from mistakes you understand, learn and start again. What happened will lead me to try to improve further as a man and as a professional.”
The pair🎶 have for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix.
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the world. Often reporting ✅on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories ofℱ the people who matter in the sport.
