McKenzie fights back: no major surgery needed, but abuse persists after Barcelona

Lee McKenzie, a well-known UK motorsport journalist, has revealed that she does not require the major surgery she initially feared, with her condition now manageable through medication.

"The good news is that a larger operation that I thought I was going to get isn't needed at the moment and things can be treated with medication," McKenzie shared, emphasizing that her health issue is common and not a sign of serious illness.

Despite this relief, McKenzie has faced persistent online abuse targeting her appearance and weight, particularly following her coverage of the recent Barcelona event. The 47-year-old was compelled to disable comments on her social media accounts due to the volume and nature of the harassment.

"It's not about being unwell. It's about the vile comments from women and men commenting on my appearance," she stated, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the abuse.

McKenzie also questioned the rationale behind such attacks, noting, "If you don't like what someone wears or looks like on television, feel free to think about it but why send it to them? Why contact someone to be deliberately rude?"

In response to the widespread harassment, Formula 1, along with F2, F3, and the FIA, issued a joint statement condemning "abuse and harassment in any form." This collective stance underscores the ongoing challenge of online abuse faced by public figures in sports media.

McKenzie, who has been a familiar face in motorsport broadcasting since 2009, continues to stand firm against the negativity, advocating for respect and decency in public discourse.

Journalist Lee McKenzie revealed she does not require major surgery after health concerns but continues to face online abuse targeting her appearance following the Barcelona event. She has disabled social media comments amid widespread harassment, which F1 and related organizations have publicly condemned.