F1 Journalist Calls Out Body Shaming in Bold Social Media Statement
Formula One journalist Lee McKenzie has taken a bold stance against online hate on Instagram. McKenzie wrote how she was targeted for her appearance at last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, which prompted her to turn off comments.
Presenting for Channel 4, the 47-year-old revealed that she hardly shares her personal life updates on social media, but the body-shaming comments she received pushed her to take a stand and admit that she had undergone surgery last month due to ongoing health issues.
Calling out perpetrators who were "women and men alike," she firmly stated that not every opinion about someone's appearance needs to be shared, especially when it could affect a person at a deeper level.
Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes...
Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. MoreFortunately, McKenzie confirmed that her health has been improving and stressed that she would soon be hitting the gym, but only for herself. Her Instagram post read:
"I've been thinking about whether I should post this but I will as it's not just about me, it's for all women and men too.
"Last month I went into hospital for an operation and I've been struggling with some health issues for a while now.
"As you see on here I'm a private person and I post about my work, not too much about life outside of work. I don't need or want attention or validation. But the comments about my appearance and weight at the Spanish Grand Prix have been horrific. I've had to turn off comments on my social media. It's worth saying they came from women and men alike.
"If you don't like what someone wears or looks like on television, feel free to think about it but why send it to them? Why contact someone to be deliberately rude? I'm a journalist and I'm good at my job and I'm furious that this affects me. But it does and there will be people out there getting similar abuse that are not as strong as me. Don't do it.
"The good news is that a larger operation that I thought I was going to get isn't needed at the moment and things can be treated with medication. Many people have this. It's not about being unwell. It's about the vile comments from women and men commenting on my appearance.
"My health is improving and I'm back at the gym. For me. Not for anyone else. Think before you write to someone."
Online hate has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks. Newsweek Sports reported how Alpine driver Franco Colapinto's fans targeted Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda for an on-track incident with the Argentinian. Tsunoda stressed, "At some point F1 should say something" if it crossed a line in the future.
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