Former F1 Boss Franz Tost Sparks Outrage After Calling Gabriel Bortoleto’s Mother ‘Stupid’ Live on Air During Brazilian Grand Prix
A shocking incident unfolded during the live broadcast of the Brazilian Grand Prix when former Formula 1 team principal Franz Tost made an offensive remark about the mother of rookie driver Gabriel Bortoleto. The Austrian, who was providing live commentary for broadcaster ORF, described Bortoleto’s mother as “stupid” while reacting to footage of her during her son’s early crash in Sunday’s race. The comment has since drawn widespread criticism, forcing both Tost and the television network to issue public apologies.
The weekend was already turning into a nightmare for Bortoleto, whose debut season in Formula 1 has been under close scrutiny. His home race at Interlagos was supposed to be a proud moment for the young Brazilian and his family, but instead, it quickly became one to forget.
The troubles began during Saturday’s sprint race when Bortoleto lost control going into Turn 1, crashing heavily and damaging his car. The impact prevented him from taking part in the qualifying session later that day, putting him at a severe disadvantage for Sunday’s main event. Despite the team’s efforts to repair the car overnight, his misfortune continued during the Grand Prix itself.
Just moments after the lights went out, Bortoleto became tangled in a collision with Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll at Turn 10. The contact sent the Sauber spinning into the barriers, ending his race before it even began. The dramatic accident drew gasps from the home crowd, and the television cameras quickly cut to the Sauber garage, showing Bortoleto’s girlfriend, Isabella Bernardini, and his mother, Andrea, watching the replay with clear anxiety and concern.
It was during this live moment that Franz Tost made his controversial remark. Commentating for Austrian broadcaster ORF, the 68-year-old ex-Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls) boss commented, “He is in a learning phase. The mothers don’t need to look so stupid. This is perfectly normal — it’s a crash period.” His words, aired live to thousands of viewers, were immediately condemned by fans on social media, who found the statement disrespectful and insensitive toward Bortoleto’s family.
Within hours, ORF issued an official apology acknowledging the inappropriate nature of the comment. The network’s statement read:
“During the co-commentary of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Brazil, an unacceptable statement was unfortunately made during the hectic start phase, for which we would like to sincerely apologise. The expression and choice of words were completely inappropriate, and ORF Sport will take appropriate precautions to ensure that something like this does not happen again.”
The broadcaster confirmed that internal reviews would be conducted and hinted at possible disciplinary measures to prevent future incidents of this kind.
Franz Tost, who spent nearly two decades as team principal of Toro Rosso before stepping down in 2023, has built a reputation in Formula 1 for his blunt, straightforward approach to commentary and management. However, his latest remark has crossed a line for many fans, with critics calling for the former team boss to issue a personal apology to the Bortoleto family.
While Bortoleto and his family have not publicly responded to the incident, the story has sparked conversations within the F1 community about the responsibility of commentators and former team officials who now serve as pundits. Many fans argue that while analysis and critique are part of the sport, comments targeting family members — especially in emotionally charged situations — are unacceptable.
The controversy also overshadowed what was meant to be a celebratory weekend for Brazilian motorsport fans. Bortoleto, regarded as one of the most promising young talents from Brazil, entered the race hoping to impress in front of his home supporters. Instead, he was left with disappointment both on and off the track, as the conversation shifted from his potential to an unnecessary media storm.
As Formula 1 continues to grow its global audience, broadcasters and commentators face increasing scrutiny over their on-air behavior. Incidents like this serve as a reminder that words carry weight, especially in emotionally sensitive moments.
For Tost, this marks a rare blemish on an otherwise respected career in motorsport management. But for Bortoleto and his family, the ordeal adds insult to injury after what was already a painful weekend at Interlagos.
With ORF’s formal apology now public and the controversy still trending across social media platforms, it remains to be seen whether further action will be taken against Tost. What is clear, however, is that his choice of words has reignited the debate about professionalism and empathy in Formula 1 commentary — and how easily a single comment can overshadow the spirit of the sport.
