EXCLUSIVE: Sky Sports’ Formula One director to visit Red Bull’s factory on Monday to clear the air after their boycott of the broadcaster at the Mexican Grand Prix over perceived bias against Max Verstappen
- Sky F1 director, Billy McGinty, is due to visit Red Bull’s factory on Monday
- Two sides are keen to kiss and make up after their row at the Mexican Gran Prix
- Kravitz angered Red Bull by claiming Hamilton was ‘robbed’ of 2021 world title
- Remark was described inside Red Bull as ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’
Sky Sports’ Formula One director, Billy McGinty, is due to visit Red Bull’s factory on Monday as the two side’s kiss and make up after their row at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Red Bull boycotted the network last weekend after Max Verstappen was incensed by pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz saying at the previous race in Austin that Lewis Hamilton was ‘robbed’ of the 2021 world title.
The remark was described inside Red Bull as ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’, while Verstappen publicly talked of Sky ‘disrespecting’ his championship success and team principal Christian Horner complained of ‘sensationalism’.
Red Bull boycotted Sky Sports after Max Verstappen was incensed by reporter Ted Kravitz
Verstappen, speaking in Mexico after winning the race, added: ‘It had nothing to do with this weekend, but this year. It has been a constant kind of digging and being disrespectful, especially from one particular person. At some point, it is enough and I don’t accept it.’
But Sportsmail understands that since then Sky Sports managing director Jonathan Licht and McGinty have been in touch with Red Bull and that both sides have decided to draw a line under the fallout. McGinty’s visit to Milton Keynes is part of the reconciliation process.
Indeed, Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez was interviewed by Sky commentator David Croft at the official Las Vegas Grand Prix launch over the weekend – an acknowledgment that the boycott is over.
Teased on stage by Mercedes driver George Russell about whether Sky were allowed to ask Perez questions, Croft replied: ‘Yes, I am tonight. I’ve got special permission, so don’t start on me!’
Kravitz suggested that Hamilton had been ‘robbed’ during last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Croft then asked Perez: ‘Are you allowed to answer?’ To which the Mexican joked: ‘They (his Red Bull team) are not here!’
Horner, who celebrated wife Geri Halliwell’s 50th birthday at a star-studded party in Oxfordshire on Saturday at which Verstappen was guest of honour, is expected to take part in Sky’s broadcast of the penultimate round of the season in Sao Paulo this coming weekend.
Kravitz and Horner, meanwhile, are due to talk once they have touched down in Brazil.
Both Red Bull and Sky, who recently extended their TV rights deal for Formula One until 2029, declined to comment.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and Kravitz are due to talk in Brazil next week
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