F1 icon Lewis Hamilton defends broadcaster after horror backlash
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has jumped to the defence of Sky Sports broadcaster and driver Naomi Schiff after she was questioned on social media over her credentials.
Schiff, a professional racer in the W Series in 2019, joined the Sky Sports analyst team in 2022.
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However, she was questioned on social media over her ability to give her professional opinion.
And she replied to the Twitter user with three yawning emojis after being targeted.
The tweet aimed at Schiff has since been limited to viewers.
However, seven-time world champion Hamilton also weighed-in on the drama.
The F1 star hit out at any of her critics and said there was a "long way to go to change these attitudes in sport."
"Naomi is an ex-professional racing driver & totally qualified to give her opinion as part of the Sky team," Hamilton wrote.
"She’s been a great asset since joining & we should welcome more representative broadcasting with open arms.
"Still have a long way to go to change these attitudes in sport."
Naomi is an ex-professional racing driver & totally qualified to give her opinion as part of the Sky team. She’s been a great asset since joining & we should welcome more representative broadcasting with open arms. Still have a long way to go to change these attitudes in sport. https://t.co/E6U7zX4XqI
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) June 14, 2022
The broadcaster interviewed Hamilton in a Sky Sports piece ahead of the F1 season.
And Hamilton wasn't the only one to defend Schiff.
F1 world rallies around Naomi Schiff
Following the horrible backlash, the F1 world was quick to rally around Schiff.
W Series race Alice Powell called for Schiff to ignore the 'idiots'.
F1 reporter Chris Medland said he had enjoyed Schiff's analysis throughout the season.
Another F1 journalist Hazel Southwell added that Schiff's analysis from trackside had been 'absolutely perfect' in 2022.
You rock babes, ignore the idiots ❤️
— Alice Powell (@alicepowell) June 14, 2022
Rarely get to see any of Sky's coverage of F1 (due to working at the same time) but from what I have seen of it there's no doubt that Naomi Schiff has been a brilliant addition. Big fan of her style #F1
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) June 13, 2022
you're brilliant, an excellent addition to the team and your trackside pieces are an absolutely perfect example of how to do motorsport coverage that helps the viewer analyse what they're seeing - so important with the new regs
— Hazel Southwell (@HSouthwellFE) June 13, 2022
Schiff later thanked all those who called out the social media targeting.
“Thank you to everyone who has come to my defense,” she wrote.
“I appreciate all the love and support, none of you go unnoticed!
“Sadly the issue of online bullying, bashing, shaming etc is one I don’t believe is going anywhere anytime soon.
“Social media, in some cases, gives voices to individuals who don’t deserve to be heard. So I encourage anyone reading this to not indulge in it or retaliate or seek revenge.
“Remember that your words do have impact and that therefore we should do something positive with these platforms and be kind to one another.
“Lastly, I love my job and I won’t let anyone turn down my ambition or passion because they are uncomfortable with the volume.”
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