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For nearly 20 years, English commentator David Croft has been the voice of Formula 1 on both Sky Sports and the BBC.
When ESPN acquired the rights to F1 in 2018 and announced it would simulcast the Sky broadcast, Crofty, as he’s called, became a household name in the US.
But the famed broadcaster is now under fire after his controversial call of Lando Norris‘ maiden Formula 1 victory at Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix.
LANDO NORRIS WINS THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX pic.twitter.com/yKRo2rZAmw
— mak ⁴ (@LANDOPIASTRIS) May 5, 2024
“The McLaren team welcomed a former president of the United States into their garage before the race, a race that was meant to be about Max Verstappen. But here at the chequered flag, Norris trumps Verstappen and wins the Miami Grand Prix,” Croft yelled.
The call alluded to the fact that former United States president Donald Trump visited the McLaren garage earlier in the day.
And fans were furious about it.
Actually, I’m going to double down here.
‘Norris Trumps Verstappen’ might just be the worst race-winning call in the history of televised motorsport. I suspect it’ll never be surpassed for sheer awfulness.#MiamiGP #F1
— Philip West (@Philip_RJ89) May 5, 2024
If you'd like to watch that brilliant moment without David Croft linking it to Donald Trump, Channel 4's highlights with the excellent Alex Jacques are on later… #MiamiGP #SkyF1 #C4F1
— Daniel Hurst (@danielmarkhurst) May 5, 2024
"Norris Trumps Verstappen" is a quite a choice for a call btw
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 5, 2024
Lando wins Crofty mentions
his first race Trump while
doing it#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/e2PmasdCL3— F1 Portrayed By Top Gear (@TopGearFormula1) May 5, 2024
Lando Norris Credits Donald Trump After David Croft’s Controversial Call
Fans felt Croft’s call took away from Norris’ moment. The immensely popular Brit had come close before but never won in 109 previous stars.
But Norris credited Trump after the victory.
“I didn’t see him (Trump) in the garage ahead of the race because I was busy preparing, but he came and saw me after to congratulate me,” he said.
“He said he was my lucky charm because it was my first win so I don’t know if he’s going to come to more races now.
“Donald is someone you have to have respect for in many ways, and I guess it was an honour for him to come up to me and to take the time out of his life to acknowledge what I’ve done. It was a cool moment.”
Norris will almost certainly win again. But you never forget your first. And the call very clearly overshadowed an otherwise impressive feat.