DAZN Spain commentator Antonio Lobato has found himself at the center of a media storm due to an unfortunate remark about Michael Schumacher’s health during a live television broadcast, sparking outrage from users on social media. As a result of the controversy that has unfolded in recent hours, the Spanish commentator was compelled to issue a public apology via his Twitter account (X), explaining that his words were actually misconstrued.
Antonio Lobato and the unfortunate remark about Michael Schumacher provoke social media outrage
As we know, the seven-time world champion was the victim of a terrible skiing accident ten years ago, following which he was placed in a medically induced coma. Michael was later discharged and managed to return home to his family, albeit receiving 24-hour assistance. Since then, there have been very few updates on his condition, with the family consistently requesting the utmost privacy regarding the matter.
How does this relate to the controversy just described? A clip from a television program featuring Antonio Lobato, the commentator for the Spanish version of DAZN, quickly went viral on social media due to an inappropriate statement he made about the former German driver’s health.
The incriminated portion of the live broadcast goes as follows: “Let Adrian Newey tremble, because Antonio Lobato is coming.” In response to this statement, Antonio Lobato replied to his colleague in what was meant to be a tasteless joke: “Let Michael tremble! Well… not Michael, he can’t tremble.”
Users were incensed on social media: Antonio Lobato forced to issue a public apology
Needless to say, users did not react well to the exchange between the Spanish commentator and his colleague, with some even calling for Antonio Lobato’s dismissal: “Reprehensible. Formula 1 should take note and take action. How can someone even think about making a joke about Schumacher’s condition? This guy should be banned.”
This is just one of the many comments received by the commentator, who practically found himself compelled to issue a public apology and clarify the situation: “Sooner or later, it had to happen. One day, a serious video had to be made, and this is the moment. For the first time, I will make a relatively serious video to clarify things because I want everything to be quite clear.”
“First of all, I have to admit that I made a mistake yesterday, with no ill intent, although someone is now trying to say that I did so with bad intentions. It was simply a mistake out of sheer clumsiness, a complete inability to express myself properly. It happened that I went too far and used an expression that is not beautiful. I didn’t mean to make a joke. I didn’t want to make fun of Michael Schumacher. Moreover, I believe that anyone who knows me and knows what kind of person I am knows perfectly well that I would never make a joke about something like that, ever. I was clumsy. So the only thing I have to do, I think it’s crucial, is to apologize to all those who were offended by that statement yesterday. I really, really mean it. It was not my intention to say it for laughs, or to make any kind of joke about Michael, whom I knew, admired, considered a reference, and whom I think was rather unfortunate.”
The video clip circulating on social media has been removed, presumably to quell the media storm that was affecting the commentator in these hours. It remains to be seen whether Formula 1 will take action against Antonio Lobato or if the public apologies will suffice to put the case to rest.
