A TV reporter was brutally dragged off the grid during a Max Verstappen interview ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Around 10 minutes before the start of the race at Imola, Sky Sports’ Rachel Brookes was waiting to catch a word with the world champion, who was chatting to a reporter from Viaplay, who broadcast F1 in the Netherlands.
Verstappen was making his way onto the grid as he chatted to the Viaplay man, who evidently didn’t have the appropriate accreditation as he was soon grabbed by an official and frogmarched away. Verstappen looked back in concern as Brookes laughed awkwardly before briefly quizzing the Dutch driver.
Viewers were left shocked by the incident, with many feeling the official was far too heavy-handed. One said: “I get he didn’t have a pass but he could’ve been a bit nicer. No need to manhandle him like that.”
A second asked: “lol why was he getting dragged like that?” A third suggested: “He forgot his grid sticker.” Another added: “Sometimes I feel like the only media they respect is British Sky Sports.” A fifth joked: “Can’t wait for the memes to come from this.”
On Saturday, Verstappen saw off McLaren’s challenge to match Ayrton Senna’s record of eight consecutive pole positions. At the Imola venue which claimed Senna’s life 30 years ago, Verstappen’s drew level with the great Brazilian.
Lando Norris joined him on the front row after his McLaren team-mate, Oscar Piastri, was given a three-place grid drop for impeding the Haas of Kevin Magnussen in Q1. Verstappen said: “It’s 30 years since he passed away, so it is very special and I am very pleased to get pole and in a way, it’s a nice memory to him.
“He was an incredible F1 driver, especially in qualifying. A great day for him, a great day for the team. I’m very, very happy.”
Before he was moved up a place, Norris said: “P3 is not a bad job and we were within a tenth of P1. It is tiny margins but the team has had a very good weekend. It is exciting because it is close and I cannot wait until tomorrow.”
