McEvoy banned from F1 paddock, Daily Mail to boycott races

Veteran Formula 1 journalist Jonathan McEvoy has said his media accreditation has been revoked for the remainder of the 2026 season, with it to be restored from the start of 2027. He attributed the decision to a column he wrote between the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix, in which he commented on Charles Leclerc following a first-lap incident with teammate Lewis Hamilton in Mexico City.

The FIA said media accreditation is granted at its sole discretion and may be revoked at any time without notice, and that the highest standards of fairness and professionalism are expected of accredited media. In response, the Daily Mail has said it will not report on races or press conferences at the final three rounds of the season in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Its head of sport, Chris Dean, called the ban an unprecedented attack on press freedom and urged the FIA to reinstate McEvoy immediately.

Former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone said he was surprised by the decision, describing McEvoy as doing a fantastic job and calling the ban completely mad.