Two Formula 1 pundits issued grovelling apologies on social media after they were suspended over sexist comments they made on air at the Spanish Grand Prix.
It happened during a post-race analysis show on Sky Sport, the Italian sister channel of the UK broadcaster. Davide Valsecchi and Matteo Bobbi, who both enjoyed racing careers prior to their roles as F1 pundits, both made comments about a woman in the background of the broadcast.
Bobbi, who was speaking from the studio, suggested Valsecchi, who was in the paddock, should look behind him at the woman, who he described as an "upgrade package". Valsecchi then replied: "I know, but they told me I can't test them. So I raise my hands."
Sky reporter Federica Masolin, who was stood next to Valsecchi at the time, was clearly uncomfortable over the exchange, while another journalist in the studio with Bobbi told them both to "be careful". Masolin then tried to get the broadcast back on track.
"Can’t we watch some interviews instead of listening to these two?" she asked, before adding: "Let's hear from Carlos Sainz, please. I'm going to censor you two." But that was not the end of it as, later in the broadcast, she read out a viewer's comment who questioned if the jokes would "be appreciated by their wives".
Bobbi responded: "Well when I get home. I'll get a beating, probably. Sorry, Davide." And Valsecchi added: "Well you know I've had eye surgery twice because I've been losing sight since I was a child, looking at those things."
Both have been suspended by the broadcaster and will not perform their usual roles at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. They have also released individual apology statements via their own social media channels.
Bobbi posted: "On Sunday in the post-race I was the protagonist of a joke that came out in a completely unhappy way, although it was not my intention. I created an unpleasant moment that upset some people. I ended up in the gravel.
"Being anything but a disrespectful person, I sincerely apologise to those who felt offended by it. I reiterated my total and deep respect for all women and in particular starting with the woman I have next to me.
"For 10 years I have been commentating on F1 with Sky friends, a family now, and in 10 years I have never found myself in such an unpleasant situation. I've always thought that from mistakes you learn and start again. What happened will me to try to improve further as a man and as a professional."
And Valsecchi wrote: "I'm so sorry, because on Sunday in the post-race I fell into an exchange of bad-tasteful jokes and used unsuitable and disrespectful words. And I'm not. This is why I would like to apologise to those who felt offended, to women and to Sky. Really."
