Sexist jokes live on Sky: Formula 1 commentators are suspended

Matteo Bobbi and Davide Valsecchi were suspended from Sky (for the next GP) due to a series of sexist jokes directed at a girl who happened to be in the frame by chance. It happened during the live broadcast of the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sky. After the race, the Sky Sport correspondent Federica Masolin is conducting the broadcast together with the former driver Valsecchi. In connection with the two is Bobbi, another ex-driver, who interrupts the interventions made to comment on the race to make a sexist comment about a girl who accidentally ended up in the shot and shot from behind.

The vulgar comments by Matteo Bobbi and Davide Valsecchi were as follows: «I wanted to tell Davide that behind him there is a nice package of updates if he turns around», began Bobbi who invited her colleague to turn around to observe the girl in question. Even worse was Valsecchi’s reply who, turning around to observe, commented: «I know them, unfortunately they told me that they cannot be tested».

An exchange of jokes worthy of the worst barracks which continued with ping pong between the two, rigorously on live TV. The correspondent Federica Masolin had to attend this scene, understandably embarrassed. She tried to continue, blocking the speeches of the two, and exclaiming “I ask for political asylum, can’t we watch some interviews instead of listening to these two?”. The director then broadcast the interview requested by the correspondent, but once the live broadcast returned, they weren’t back on track, on the contrary. “Will we see them safe and sound again at the next Grand Prix after this little curtain appreciated above all by their wives?” the correspondent asks them. Bobbi’s answer: «If I go home I know that I’ll take a lot of blows». Valsecchi, on the other hand, continues undeterred: «I’ve already had eye surgery twice because I’ve lost my sight since I was a child looking at those things».

Apologies on social media
Valsecchi apologized on Monday evening through a story on Instagram: «I’m so sorry, because on Sunday after the race I fell into an exchange of bad taste jokes and used inappropriate and disrespectful words. And I’m not. For this I would like to apologize to anyone who has felt offended, to women and to Sky, really”. Then it was the turn of Matteo Bobbi, who had unleashed the curtain. Also on Instagram, with another story, he explains: «I ended up in gravel. Being anything but a disrespectful person, I sincerely apologize to anyone who may have felt offended, reiterating my total and profound respect for everyone and all women, especially starting with the splendid woman next to me».