Published 11/06/2022, 8:15 PM EST
After Ted Kravitz’s “robbed” remark about Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 lost championship campaign, Red Bull boycotted Sky Sports for the Mexican GP. The comments irked Max Verstappen and the entire team decided to not interact with Sky journalists for an entire weekend. But was it all a tactic to avoid questions on the cost cap controversy?
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If the drama at the 2021 Abu Dhabi wasn’t enough, the cost cap breach last year cast more doubts on whether Max Verstappen deserved to win his first world championship. Red Bull came under heavy scrutiny from fans and media alike. As they faced some serious questions each day after FIA’s report, another controversy involving Ted Kravitz showed up.
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Was the Ted Kravitz controversy an escape tactic from Red Bull?
After the US GP, Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz was reporting live from the pit lane. While walking down the pit lane, he made some remarks on how Lewis Hamilton was “robbed” of his 8th championship. He used the word “robbed” twice during the coverage and the comments did not go down well with Max Verstappen. He and his team boycotted Sky Sports for the Mexican GP.
Formula One F1 – Mexico City Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – October 30, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the race and setting a new F1 record of 14 grand prix wins in a season REUTERS/Henry Romero
In the latest episode of The Last Lap, the podcasters had a hilarious take on the controversy. One participant Cam Kirkham said, “And obviously with all the drama that’s been going on, I think it’s actually come at a really good time because they don’t have to answer any questions.”
Niran continued, “That’s what is Red Bull. It’s not a solidarity thing.”
The host Tommo replied, “We are just refusing to speak to anyone.”
Kirkham joked, “There’s been about 40 men in like, suits, just in a boardroom court going, “The cost cap? We’re going to blame it on Ted Kravitz”.”
Red Bull backed Verstappen on his decision to avoid Sky Sports. But Christian Horner later clarified things would go back to normal Sky Sports.
When will Red Bull’s Sky Sports boycott end?
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After boycotting Sky Sports for the entirety of Mexican GP, Christian Horner gave an update on the team’s stand. He commented on how the comments were sensationalist, but the boycott would do Sky no harm. He also talked about going back to normal in Brazil.
Formula One F1 – Mexico City Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – October 28, 2022 Red Bull team principal Christian Horner during a press conference REUTERS/Edgard Garrido
The Red Bull team principal said, “It won’t have done Sky any harm for us to lay down a marker. Some of the commentary is fair but some pieces are sensationalist, and saying we robbed anyone of the championship, as was said in Austin, is going too far. It is not impartial or fair or balanced. We have said our piece and will go back to normal next race.”
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Watch This Story: Max Verstappen Wittily Responds to Backlash for 2021 Championship Win
What do you think about the whole saga? Was it a diversion tactic from the Milton-Keynes-based team? Or had Ted Kravitz actually gone too far?