The Formula 1 world is again in a stir, but this time not due to an incident on the track. A female reporter from Viaplay, who called Max Verstappen a “wild beast” during a broadcast, was suspended after a series of controversial statements that the moods have heavily heated. The comments made during an analysis after the Grand Prix of Belgium on July 25, 2025, led to a storm of criticism from fans, colleagues and even Verstappen themselves. What made the situation even more surprising was the reason behind the broadcast, which, according to sources close to Viaplay, had everything to do with a conscious attempt to boost viewing figures. But what exactly happened, and why does this riot have such an impact?
During the broadcast of Viaplay’s after -view of the Belgian Grand Prix, where Verstappen climbed from P11 to P4 in a tumultuous race, the reporter, whose name has not been publicly confirmed by Viaplay, the performance of the Dutchman. She described Verstappen’s driving style as that of a “wild beast”, a term she linked to his aggressive catch -up maneuvers and earlier incidents, such as his collision with George Russell in Spain. She continued by suggesting that Verstappen’s “uncontrolled” behavior on the track comes out of frustration about Red Bull’s disappointing RB21, and that his “lack of discipline” holds him from a fifth world title. These statements were broadcast live, and the backlash was immediately. Dutch fans, the so -called Oranje Army, flooded social media with indignation, where many people labeled the comments as disrespectful and unprofessional.
The situation escalated when Verstappen himself responded. In an interview withRacingNews365After the race he said: “I do my work on the track, and that is driving, not talking. People who use such terms do not understand anything.” His words were supported by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who criticized the reporter for “looking for sensation at the expense of Max”. According toGPFansWas the term “wild beast” not only a personal attack, but also a conscious provocation, appropriate for Viaplay’s strategy to lure viewers with controversial content. An insider revealed that the channel, who is struggling with falling subscriber rates, had encouraged the reporter to give “sharp and controversial” analyzes, regardless of the consequences. This explains why the broadcast continued, despite internal warnings that the tone was going too far.
The reporter’s suspension was announced within 48 hours of the broadcast. Viaplay published a statement stating that the comments “were not in line with our values of respect and professionalism”. The channel emphasized that the reporter, who has been known for its pronounced style, has been temporarily put on non-active pending an internal investigation. What makes the business even more striking is thatF1Maximaal.nlReports that the reporter had already been tapped earlier this season for similar statements about other drivers, including Lando Norris. Her colleagues, such as analyst Kees van de Grint, distanced themselves from the comments and called “not representative” for the team.
The controversy comes at a sensitive moment. Verstappen, who is 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, is under immense pressure in a season in which McLaren dominates. His recent collisions with Russell and the FIA task penalty in Singapore for the use of the word “fucked” have already laid his reputation under a magnifying glass. Yet Verstappen remains supported by his fans, who according to oneRacingNews365-Poll believe that the media treat him unfairly. The suspension of the reporter is seen by many as justice, but critics such as Martin Brundle warn that the Formula 1 media should be more careful to prevent polarization. The question remains: was this a genuine misstep or a calculated stunt from Viaplay? While the research is ongoing, the Orange Army holds its breath for Verstappen’s next fight – on and next to the track.
