RED BULL driver Sergio Perez poked fun at his team’s Sky Sports boycott during an awkward interview in Las Vegas.
Perez lined up alongside Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell as F1 launched the new American race which will arrive on the calendar in 2023.
The event was presented by Sky race commentator David “Crofty” Croft who was tasked with asking the drivers relatively light-hearted questions.
But it came just days after news that Red Bull were boycotting Sky interviews, with world champion Max Verstappen refusing to appear on their cameras after reporter Ted Kravitz implied he “robbed” Lewis Hamilton of last year’s title.
Crofty’s fellow Sky colleague Martin Brundle slammed Red Bull’s decision to stop giving the broadcaster any air time.
And Perez does not seem to think the boycott is a particularly serious issue as he laughed off the situation during his on-stage interview.
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Russell jokingly asked Crofty: “Sorry, are you allowed to ask Red Bull drivers questions?”
To which Crofty responded: “I am tonight, yep. I’ve got special permission tonight. Don’t start on me.”
He then asked Perez: “Are you allowed to answer?”
To which the Mexican driver replied: “Yes… while they’re not here!”
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Brundle defended Kravitz on social media after the spat between Sky Sports and Red Bull continued to rage following the Mexico Grand Prix.
He said: “For the avoidance of doubt my friend and colleague for the past 26 years Ted Kravitz has my full support.
“Face to face dialogue is the only way to sort out issues and disputes in the relentless crucible of the F1 paddock.
“We all have opinions and different jobs to do, that’s life.”
Brundle’s comment comes after Verstappen posted his own message online.
It read: “At the moment, social media is a very toxic place.
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“And if you are constantly being like that, live on TV, you make it only worse instead of trying to make it better in the world.
“You keep being… You keep disrespecting me, and one point I’m not tolerating it any more, so that’s why I decided to stop answering.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
