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Fernando Alonso is already dealing with a miserable 2026 season on the track. His Aston Martin is painfully slow, and he just had to retire in Montreal due to extreme physical pain from his cockpit seat. But now, the two-time world champion is dragging his frustration straight into the media pen.
Reports just confirmed that Alonso has officially banned Spanish broadcaster DAZN from speaking to him this weekend. According to a recent update, the strict media boycott stems from two very specific grudges against the network.
The tension started building back at the Miami Grand Prix. During that race weekend, the DAZN broadcast team repeatedly brought up the heavy vibration problems plaguing the new Aston Martin Honda power units.
However, the team felt they had already resolved the vibration issue by the time the commentators kept highlighting it on air. The constant negative coverage really upset the Aston Martin garage. Alonso even called them out publicly over the broadcast, bluntly stating that “things look different from the studio”.
But the final straw happened off the track. Between the rounds in Miami and Canada, Senen Morán aired an interview featuring veteran Spanish F1 journalist Antonio Lobato.
During the segment, Lobato openly discussed Alonso, his current standing with Aston Martin, and the internal relationship between the driver and the team. Alonso apparently hated what he heard. The broadcast comments did not sit well with the Spanish driver at all, pushing him over the edge.
Because of these two incidents, Alonso completely cut off the Spanish television network for the Canadian Grand Prix. He refuses to answer their questions or give them any exclusive time.
Right now, the paddock is unsure how long this media blackout will actually last. It is currently unknown whether Alonso will lift the ban after Montreal or if he plans to freeze DAZN out for several upcoming races. Either way, the veteran driver is making it very clear that he will not tolerate commentators taking shots at his team from the comfort of a broadcast booth.
Continue reading...
Reports just confirmed that Alonso has officially banned Spanish broadcaster DAZN from speaking to him this weekend. According to a recent update, the strict media boycott stems from two very specific grudges against the network.
The Miami Engine Drama
The tension started building back at the Miami Grand Prix. During that race weekend, the DAZN broadcast team repeatedly brought up the heavy vibration problems plaguing the new Aston Martin Honda power units.
However, the team felt they had already resolved the vibration issue by the time the commentators kept highlighting it on air. The constant negative coverage really upset the Aston Martin garage. Alonso even called them out publicly over the broadcast, bluntly stating that “things look different from the studio”.
Lobato Comments And An Indefinite Boycott?
But the final straw happened off the track. Between the rounds in Miami and Canada, Senen Morán aired an interview featuring veteran Spanish F1 journalist Antonio Lobato.
During the segment, Lobato openly discussed Alonso, his current standing with Aston Martin, and the internal relationship between the driver and the team. Alonso apparently hated what he heard. The broadcast comments did not sit well with the Spanish driver at all, pushing him over the edge.
Because of these two incidents, Alonso completely cut off the Spanish television network for the Canadian Grand Prix. He refuses to answer their questions or give them any exclusive time.
Right now, the paddock is unsure how long this media blackout will actually last. It is currently unknown whether Alonso will lift the ban after Montreal or if he plans to freeze DAZN out for several upcoming races. Either way, the veteran driver is making it very clear that he will not tolerate commentators taking shots at his team from the comfort of a broadcast booth.
Continue reading...
