The British Bias in Formula 1: A Dutch Fan’s Take on Sky Sports F1 Commentary

As a die-hard Dutch Max Verstappen fan, I’ve got a confession to make: I’m fed up with the British bias in Formula 1 commentary, especially from Sky Sports F1. Now, don’t get me wrong, Britain has given us some incredible drivers and legendary teams—McLaren, Williams, and, of course, Lewis Hamilton. But when it comes to broadcasting, it feels like Sky Sports has forgotten that Formula 1 isn’t just a British sport, and not every race is a Hamilton fan club meeting.

Sky Sports: A British Love Affair with British Drivers
Let’s be real here. Sky Sports F1 has a thing for British drivers, and it’s hard to ignore. I’m not saying they should stop supporting them—I mean, Hamilton’s had a pretty great career, and his seven world titles aren’t to be sniffed at. But when you’ve got a driver like Max Verstappen making history with an insane winning streak, and Sky spends more time talking about how “boring” the races are rather than appreciating the sheer brilliance behind the wheel, you start to wonder if you’re watching the same sport.

Take the 2023 season, for example. Verstappen was absolutely untouchable, and instead of celebrating his dominance, all we heard was how it was “getting predictable” or “too easy.” Oh, but when Hamilton was winning everything in sight for six years straight, suddenly that was “a testament to his skill” and “how great he is.” Sure, consistency is impressive—unless you’re Max, then you’re “lucky to have the best car.” Classic.

The Max vs. Lewis Showdown: A Tale of Two Drivers
Here’s the thing: we all know Lewis Hamilton is a legend, but sometimes the way Sky treats Max Verstappen, it’s like they think he’s just a lucky kid with a good car. Yes, Max drives for Red Bull, who’ve made the fastest car on the grid, but have we forgotten that the guy has been consistently outperforming his rivals and making the rest of the grid look like amateurs? He’s not just sitting in a car; he’s driving it like it’s glued to the road.

But no, instead, we’re treated to the usual rhetoric: Verstappen is “too aggressive,” “reckless,” or just “getting lucky.” But when Hamilton does something similar—hello, Saudi Arabia 2021—suddenly it’s a “racing incident,” and we’re all supposed to just shrug and move on. Must be nice when the rules apply differently depending on which flag you’re waving.

Time for a Change: Enter F1TV
Now, I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t content with having to sit through all the Sky Sports bias anymore. That’s when I made the switch to F1TV. Goodbye, Sky Sports; hello, unbiased, neutral commentary. Sure, it’s still British pundits on F1TV, but the difference is night and day. These guys—Alex Jacques, Jolyon Palmer, and Sam Collins—manage to balance their British pride with a healthy appreciation for drivers from all countries.

What I love about F1TV is that they actually talk about the racing. Max Verstappen is praised for his exceptional driving, his racecraft, and, yes, even his “lucky” moments—because, let’s face it, luck in F1 often comes from making your own luck. There’s no focus on whether or not he’s got the best car; instead, they’re highlighting how his skills make the car even better. It’s refreshing, it’s honest, and most importantly, it’s fair.

The Bigger Picture: Bias in Broadcasting
Look, Formula 1 is a global sport with fans from all over the world. So when you’ve got broadcasters giving the lion’s share of praise to British drivers, it’s not just annoying for fans like me—it’s bad for the sport. It’s not about “hating on Hamilton” or “not appreciating British drivers”—we all know they’re talented—but it’s about fairness.

The entire 2021 season was a perfect example of this bias. The Max vs. Lewis rivalry reached an all-time high, and while Hamilton was supported by a small army of Sky pundits, Verstappen was often painted as the villain. Remember Abu Dhabi? Of course you do. Sky spent more time dissecting Hamilton’s loss than Verstappen’s win. If you didn’t know better, you might have thought Max had stolen the title in the middle of the night instead of racing his heart out to earn it.

A Better Way Forward: Let’s Be Fair
Formula 1 is a sport that thrives on competition. It doesn’t matter where a driver is from; what matters is their talent, their dedication, and their ability to make split-second decisions that can change the course of a race. Sky Sports needs to remember that—not every race is a Hamilton victory lap, and not every win for Verstappen is “boring.”

That’s where F1TV comes in. These guys know how to keep it real. They know that every race is a chance for greatness, and every driver has their moment to shine. It’s a great feeling knowing that when Max takes another win, the commentary team isn’t busy downplaying it or looking for the next excuse to praise Hamilton. They just call the race as it is—no national bias, just good racing.

Conclusion: Max’s Dominance Deserves Equal Praise
Let’s be clear: there’s no denying Hamilton’s achievements, and British drivers will always hold a special place in the hearts of F1 fans. But that doesn’t mean Verstappen’s dominance should be swept under the rug or treated like a “fluke.” F1 is about the best drivers battling it out on the track, and the commentary should reflect that—without the national bias.

So, if you’re tired of the same old Sky Sports bias, make the switch to F1TV. It’s a breath of fresh air, and trust me, it’s a lot more fun when the commentary is as good as the racing. After all, at the end of the day, it’s the drivers who make the sport, not the broadcasters.