F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Dutch TV pundit apologises for brazen insult to Ocon

Drivers aren't the only ones in the F1 paddock who resort to some colorful language now and then, with Ziggo Sport's Jack Plooij publicly disparaging Esteban Ocon at Spa last weekend.

The Dutch reporter was perhaps still reeling from Ocon's on-track and off-track spat with Plooij's countryman Max Verstappen at the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, when the two drivers came to blows after Ocon had inadvertently tagged the Red Bull race leader onto a costly spin.

At Spa, Plooij was conducting an on-camera interview with Lando Norris, addressing the McLaren driver's remarks about Ocon's "dangerous" out lap antics in qualifying.

The Dutch referred to Ocon as "that French f***", catching an embarrassed Norris off guard. Inevitably, Plooij's degrading words were picked up on social media where the reporter was heavily - and justifiably - criticized for his disrespectful and unprofessional attitude.

However on Monday, the Ziggo pundit owned up to his blunder, apologizing for his abuse, an admission which the gracious Mr. Ocon readily accepted!

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

56 mins ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas,…

58 mins ago

Leclerc confident Ferrari ‘has a shot’ at F1 Constructors’ title

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…

2 hours ago

Komatsu: F1 teams united against Audi 2026 cost-cap offset

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…

3 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

4 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 1 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the United…

4 hours ago