Sky Sports was forced to issue an apology after McLaren’s Lando Norris dropped an expletive-laden admission during his post-race interview at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The British driver used profanity on the world feed when explaining his costly mistake at the first corner, stating “I f****d it up” whilst discussing how he surrendered the lead to eventual winner Max Verstappen.
The 26-year-old’s language breach occurred during the official podium interviews after he secured second place behind the dominant Red Bull driver.
His explicit comment violates established FIA media guidelines regarding swearing during official broadcasts, though racing officials have confirmed he will not face any sporting sanctions for the incident.
Norris had secured pole position but immediately compromised his advantage with an overly aggressive defensive move against Verstappen into Turn 1.
The McLaren driver misjudged his braking point whilst attempting to block the Dutchman, running wide and ceding positions to both Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell.
Norris joked: “I let Max have a win. Let him go, let him have a nice race!”
He acknowledged: “No, I just braked too late – it was my f*** up.”
The British driver used profanity on the world feed when explaining his costly mistake at the first corner
The Briton later admitted during the broadcast: “You’ve got to be punchy into Turn 1. I was just a bit too punchy, and that cost me.”
The incident falls under stricter media guidelines introduced in 2024 when FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem initiated a comprehensive crackdown on drivers’ use of profanity.
Following negotiations, a compromise was established whereby radio communications would remain exempt from restrictions, whilst swearing during official media duties could result in sanctions.
The FIA’s F1 media delegate reviews each instance individually to determine appropriate action.
Despite Norris’s clear breach of these regulations during the podium interview, racing authorities have indicated he will escape sporting penalties.
Fellow British driver George Russell was overheard joking “that’s a fine” following the incident, though financial sanctions remain unconfirmed.
Verstappen’s commanding performance saw him cross the finish line 20 seconds ahead of Norris, marking his 150th grand prix start with disappointment.
The result strengthens Norris’s championship position, extending his advantage over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to 30 points with two rounds remaining.
The 26-year-old’s language breach occurred during the official podium interviews
Verstappen trails by 42 points, maintaining slim mathematical chances.
However, this could change, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are both under investigation for excessive skid-block wear and could be disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Sky Sports presenter David Croft issued an on-air apology for the broadcast language after presenter David Coulthard attempted to deflect from Norris’s explicit comment.
The exchange left both Verstappen and third-placed Russell laughing during the fountain-side interview at the Bellagio.
