Ted Kravitz plea made as Sky Sports and Red Bull hold clear-the-air talks
Red Bull and Sky Sports are reportedly holding clear-the-air talks following the row over comments made by pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz.
F1’s champion team refused all interviews with the channel during the recent Mexican Grand Prix, meaning world champion Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and team principal Christian Horner were off limits to reporters.
Red Bull are unhappy with Sky’s perceived negative coverage of the team this year. They were particularly annoyed with a throwaway comment by Kravitz after the United States Grand Prix where he said Lewis Hamilton had been “robbed” of last year’s title.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen says 'disrespectful' Sky Sports are 'living in the past' amid Kravitz row
Horner has suggested the ban would be for one race only and Sky Sports F1 chief Billy McGinty is reportedly visiting the team’s Milton Keynes base today (Monday) for clear-the-air talks.
It is unclear what stance Sky will take – stand by Kravitz or offer something of an apology in a bid to secure access to the likes of Verstappen and Horner. F1 fans have taken to social media to give their views on the talks, with many hoping the broadcaster does not back down and instead stands by Kravitz.
“This has been a well-executed distraction technique to get the headlines off the Cost Cap – and it worked,” suggested one.
Another said: “I just hope that clearing the air does not include making Ted apologise, as he did not say anything wrong. The last thing we want is an agreement for more Sky F1/whinger time on TV as a result of this.”
Were Red Bull right to stop talking to Sky Sports? Have your say in the comments section.
A third fan fears: “This is clearly @SkySportsF1 wanting to grovel to Red Bull Racing for daring to have an opinion the latter disagree with. This really goes to show the extent of the unhealthy ambient between F1 and the media and proves that media metrics matter more than anything in today’s F1.”
Another agreed, posting: “Let’s hope they’re not pandering, rather laying down rules of engagement making it clear Ted has their full backing and further they won’t put up with bullying, gaslighting type behaviour…then leave them to reflect. F1 coverage is currently more enjoyable without them.”
One fan simply said: “They better not make Ted K publically apologise.”
Another added: “This is pathetic indeed. The only answer from @SkySportsF1 should be a signal they will not be intimidated.”
One fan commented: “Now Ted is going be under strict rules to not bad mouth RBR. Which is yet more manipulation from them.”
While the boycott looks set to end at this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix, it will be intriguing to see how Red Bull personnel interact with Sky, and Kravitz in particular.
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