Hulkenberg tells Kravitz I thought you didnt like me in frosty exchange
Just when Ted Kravitz thought he had put his spat with Max Verstappen behind him, he feared he had upset another F1 driver.
Verstappen's Red Bull team stopped talking to Sky Sports for a race following comments made by pit-lane reporter Kravitz after the United States Grand Prix. During his post-race Notebook show, as he was talking about Lewis Hamilton’s failed attempt to beat Verstappen to victory in Austin, he suggested the British driver had been “robbed” by the manner of his 2021 title defeat to the Dutchman in Abu Dhabi.
That was the final straw for Red Bull, who said they were unhappy with what they viewed as Sky’s negative coverage of the team. The boycott lasted for just one race weekend, the Mexican Grand Prix, before normal service resumed in Brazil last weekend.
READ MORE: Toto Wolff says Mercedes qualifying effort in Abu Dhabi 'one for the toilet'
However, it appears Kravitz has kept his distance from Red Bull at the last two races, with colleagues Rachel Brookes, Natalie Pinkham and Simon Lazenby quizzing Verstappen and team principal Christian Horner.
Following Abu Dhabi qualifying, Kravitz was fronting his Notebook show as usual when he bumped into Nico Hulkenberg, who will replace Mick Schumacher at Haas next season, having been Aston Martin’s reserve driver in recent seasons.
Kravitz spoke of how pleased he was to see the German back in a full-time race seat, only for Hulkenberg to reply: “I didn’t think you liked me.”
Who will win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Tell us in the comments section below.
A surprised Kravitz said: “Nein! Nicht doch. Not true. Of course not. Are you kidding? You're one of my favourites."
Kravitz then recalled a moment after Hulkenberg's last race as a full-time driver in 2019 (his races since have been as a stand-in for Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel).
Kravitz added: “Don't you remember? We had that touching moment where you made a rude gesture to me on the balcony when you left last time around.”
Hulkenberg, who did crack a smile to suggest he was joking, said he didn't recall the incident but added that he was looking forward to next year and hoping to "kick some asses" as Haas look to move up from the back of the grid to become regular midfield runners.
READ NEXT:
- Read the latest F1 news from the Daily Star here
- Toto Wolff says Mercedes qualifying effort in Abu Dhabi 'one for the toilet'
- Sebastian Vettel blasts ‘these people’ Red Bull during final F1 qualifying session
- Carlos Sainz feared he'd injured Ferrari mechanic during a pit-stop in Abu Dhabi practice
- Daniel Ricciardo's 'Red Bull return' opens Mercedes door for Mick Schumacher
Source: Read Full Article