The former drivers were discussing the race when Bobbi began a sexist joke between the pair. Speaking from the studio to Valsecchi, who was around the paddock, he pointed to a woman in the background and referred to her as an “upgrade package”.
Valsecchi responded: “I already know them but they told me I can’t test them. So I raise my hands.”
The grim exchange did not go down well among their fellow broadcasters. Federica Masolin, who was stood alongside Valsecchi, awkwardly gave her colleague a lengthy stare before telling the pair to “be careful”.
Growing visibly furious as the joke continued, Masolin added: “Can we watch some interviews instead of these two? Let’s hear from Carlos Sainz, please. I’m going to censure you two.”
She continued to read a viewer’s comment after the clip: “Fabio is concerned for your physical safety, Matteo and Davide. Will they be safe and sound, after this gag, at the next Grand Prix. Appreciated by all their wives?”
Bobbi responded: “Well when I get home I’ll get a beating, probably. Sorry, Davide.”
Valsecchi continued to joke, adding: “Well you know I’ve had eye surgery twice because I’ve been losing sight since I was a child, looking at those things.”
Both individuals apologised over the incident. First, Valsecchi wrote on Instagram: “I’m so sorry, because on Sunday in the post-race I fell into an exchange of bad-tasteful jokes and used unsuitable and disrespectful words. And I’m not.
“This is why I would like to apologise to those who felt offended, to women and to Sky. Really.”
Bobbi said: “After the race I was the protagonist of a joke that came out in a completely unhappy way, although it was not in my intentions I generated an unpleasant moment that made the sensitivity of some people suffer. I ended up in gravel.
“Being anything but a disrespectful person I sincerely apologise to those who felt offended by reiterating my total and deep respect for everyone and towards women, particularly starting with the beautiful woman next to me. For 10 years I have been commenting on F1 with the friends of Sky, a family now and in 10 years I had never found myself in such an unpleasant situation.
“I’ve always thought that from mistakes you understand, learn and start again. What happened will lead me to try to improve further as a man and as a professional.”
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