Sky Sports Channel Logo

F1 News

News

  • News
  • Video
  • Live
  • Opinion
  • Gossip
  • Drivers & Teams
  • Schedule & Results
  • Standings
  • Stats Zone
  • Get Sky F1

Ross Brawn apologises to Winnie Harlow after Canadian GP flag error

F1 chief insists model didn't deserve "grief" and says she was an "innocent victim" after flag was waved a lap too early in Montreal

Last Updated: 10/12/18 2:02pm

Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn has apologised to model Winnie Harlow and says she was an "innocent victim" from the Canadian GP flag controversy.

Harlow, a friend of Lewis Hamilton, waved the chequered flag a lap too early in Montreal but has since been cleared of blame, with FIA race director Charlie Whiting saying the mistake was a result of "simple miscommunication".

Brawn said: "Supermodel Winnie Harlow was an innocent victim at the end of the race.

"She was asked to wave the chequered flag, but was told to do so after 69 of the 70 laps had been completed."

The FIA, Formula 1's governing body, says it will review procedures after the error - which did not have an impact on the race result - but Brawn was not happy with the criticism the celebrity guest received on social media.

"I was sad to see her so heavily criticised when, as race director Charlie Whiting explained, it was all down to a misunderstanding between two officials," added Brawn.

"Winnie simply followed the instructions she was given and I want to apologise for the grief she received and thank her for supporting Formula 1."

Brawn said F1 want to open up the sport "to a new audience" and that they can achieve part of that process by bringing celebrities into the paddock.

"Something similar happened in China in 2014, but in that instance it wasn't a celebrity waving the flag," he explained.

Also See:

  • Find out more about Sky F1
  • The F1 Gossip Column

"As the saying goes, 'to err is human' and all of us - drivers, managers, engineers, mechanics, journalists and fans - make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and try to prevent them happening again in the future.

Get Sky Sports F1.

Trending

  • 1
    Transfer Centre LIVE! Nketiah staying at Arsenal & finalising new deal
  • 2
    Papers: Man Utd on verge of signing £30m Ajax defender Timber
  • 3
    Salah 'sure' of Liverpool stay next season | Mane to reveal decision after CL final
  • 4
    Fifty of the biggest transfer stories of the summer
  • 5
    What's in Boehly's in-tray as he gets set to become Chelsea owner?
  • 6
    'He's still one of the best!' Team Bivol respond to Canelo skipping rematch
  • 7
    Boehly's £4.25bn Chelsea takeover approved | Kounde deal back on
  • 8
    Kompany leaves Anderlecht amid talks to become Burnley manager
  • 9
    Man Utd transfer rumours: Rashford fighting for future
  • 10
    'Fury interested in MMA' - How to make Ngannou fight 'even'
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2022 Sky UK