Formula 1 is no longer just a sport for technical enthusiasts and racing nerds. Thanks to shows like Drive to Survive, an explosion of content on TikTok and Instagram, and an army of influencers with paddock access, F1 has become a global entertainment product. But behind the glitter of social media lies a tension: between promotion and journalism, between fans and critics, between commercial interest and social responsibility. More and more, the question arises: is the growing influence of influencers in Formula 1 undermining independent journalism, and are they contributing to a one-sided, uncritical portrayal of the sport?