Concern is growing over the decision of the FIA to block veteran motor-racing correspondent Jonathan McEvoy from reporting on this season’s remaining grand prix.

Jonathan McEvoy’s media accreditation was revoked by the sports governing body for the remainder of the 2026 Formula One season. DMG Media, publisher of the Daily Mail, is a member of the NMC.

The FIA accreditation was cancelled after his column about Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, in which he criticised the driver’s behaviour following a contentious clash with Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico Grand Prix. The decision was communicated to the Daily Mail in a letter from FIA General Manager Alberto Villarreal, citing standards of professionalism expected of accredited media representatives.

Andrew Moger, Chief Executive of the News Media Coalition (NMC), called on the FIA to ‘reinstate McEvoy so he can continue do his professional best and to rejoin the dedicated group of experienced journalists who serve F1, fans and the business of motor racing through their independent reporting including opinion-forming insights’.

The NMC champions journalist access to major organised news and sports events around the world and Moger said the McEvoy case was alarming.

‘Like it or not, freedom of expression such as the ability to share viewpoints, and press freedom, remain vital to informed societies, debate and conversation – including about the behaviour of F1 drivers and evidently the sensitivity of teams’.

Daily Mail head of sport Chris Dean said: ‘This is an unprecedented and outrageous attack on the freedom of the Press.

‘We are in dangerous territory when the FIA react in such a heavy-handed way to some mild and fair criticism of one driver.

Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, said:

“The FIA was wrong to withdraw Jonathan McEvoy’s accreditation. He has covered Formula One for more than 20 years. The point of an opinion column is to give readers the considered view of someone who knows the sport. He should be free to write what he thinks, even when that makes for uncomfortable reading in the paddock.

“Accreditation gives journalists the access they need to do their jobs. Using it to punish a correspondent for what he writes is an abuse of that power. It sets a precedent that should concern every journalist covering Formula One and anyone who cares about independent sports reporting.

“Formula One fans want to know what is really going on in the sport. They rely on experienced reporters to ask awkward questions and tell them plainly what they make of the answers. That coverage suffers if journalists have to think about whether their next column might cost them their pass.

“The FIA should reverse this decision immediately and reinstate Jonathan McEvoy’s accreditation in time for the next race.