The Society of Editors has backed the Daily Mail and called on Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, to reverse its decision to withdraw the media accreditation of the newspaper’s motor racing correspondent, Jonathan McEvoy, for the rest of the 2026 season. The decision followed the publication of an opinion column about Ferrari.

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.”