Max Verstappen is reportedly boycotting Sky Sports in Mexico following comments made by Ted Kravitz at the United States Grand Prix last weekend. The Dutchman, who has already clinched his second successive title with a whopping 124-point lead over second-placed Charles Leclerc, is understood to be frustrated by suggestions that Lewis Hamilton was robbed of the 2021 title.
The integrity of Verstappen’s first title was recently called into question after Red Bull was accused of breaching F1’s budget cap last season.
It was another bitter pill to swallow for seven-time world champion Hamilton, given the agonizing nature of his frustrating last-lap loss to Verstappen in Abu Dhabi 10 months ago.
Kravitz apparently referenced Hamilton’s misfortune last week at Texas, where Verstappen reigned supreme after overtaking his rival just five laps from the finish line, claiming the title was stolen from him…
The 48-year-old pitlane reporter said: “[Hamilton] he doesn’t win a race all year, and finally returns to a track where he could win the first race all year, fighting the same guy who won the race he was robbed in the year before, and manages to finish ahead of him .
“What a script and story it would have been. But that’s not the way the script turned out today, is it?
“Because the guy who hit him after he got robbed actually overtook him, because he has a faster car, because of the engineering, Formula 1 and design, and more or less because of [Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer] Over there.”
According to CareersNews365Verstappen is now refusing to appear on camera for Sky Sports or any of its affiliated channels at the Mexican Grand Prix.
The boycott is also said to affect Sky Germany and Sky Italia, in what could prove a serious blow to the broadcaster during its coverage in Mexico City.
Kravitz also made a separate mockery at the United States Grand Prix, claiming that Verstappen was not capable of winning a championship “in a normal way”.
He added: “Verstappen is around the [Austin] paddock, he seems very pleased with himself. He doesn’t seem like a driver capable of winning a championship on a normal basis.”
Verstappen’s father Joshua is also reportedly outraged by Kravitz’s comments, backing his son’s decision to avoid any interviews with Sky cameras this weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit.
Speaking before Red Bull agreed to its default agreement, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff stated that he did not think the ruling should have any impact on the 2021 title, which is now past.
The unrivaled drama of the season’s climax had initially scarred the Silver Arrows and Hamilton, who have now put the events of the 2021 campaign behind them.
“I don’t know the exact excess, but one or two million can decide a championship. The FIA has a significant decision to make,” the Austrian told Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport.
Before adding later: “I just don’t think the 2021 title should be more in doubt.”
Verstappen beat Hamilton and George Russell (second) to take pole in Mexico ahead of Sunday’s thrilling race.
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