Female Journalist Slammed For 'Inappropriate' Question to F1 Drivers Before Italian GP

A female journalist has received criticism over a question she asked to Oliver Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto before the Italian Grand Prix.

The prestigious Grand Prix takes place at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on Sunday.

Bearman and Bortoleto are two of five rookies who will be racing in F1 for the first time around the circuit.

Haas driver Bearman recorded his highest-ever F1 finish of sixth place in Zandvoort last weekend.

F2 champion Bortoleto, meanwhile, needed the opening races to fully adapt to F1 with Sauber, but has been the star rookie since his debut points in Austria and has now outqualified team-mate Nico Hulkenberg in the last six Grands Prix.

The Brazilian himself finished in sixth place in Hungary, and rarely looked in danger of losing that position despite faster cars being behind him.

He has been praised by his part-manager Fernando Alonso, who described him as the 'best rookie of his generation'.

The ever-growing popularity of F1 means that Bearman, Bortoleto and the other rookies have received a huge amount of attention that has been unheard of in the sport's history.

That extends across to their private lives, as well as those of their - and other drivers' - partners.

Bortoleto has been dating his girlfriend, a computer science student, since they were teenagers, meaning she has witnessed his rise through the ranks to F1.

During an interview ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Bearman and Bortoleto sat down with a female journalist - and were asked what fans are describing as an 'inappropriate' question over their relationships.

The reporter asked: "Both of you date, like, normal girls, so you didn't go for models..."

Bearman laughed and said: "Oh, that's mean..."

Bortoleto then quipped: "Exactly - what do you mean?"

The reporter continued: "No, I just mean I think it's good that you don't go for famous, yeah."

While both drivers seemed to take the question with good humour at the end, fans were critical.

One said: "Now what kinda question is that?"

A second agreed: "Inappropriate question."

A third wrote: "Even if she worded it wrong, what was supposed to be the question?? 'Why don't you date models?'"

And a fourth added: "Let's go back to asking drivers about their sport."