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Horner backs Verstappen in Sky boycott: 'We are too easy a target'

Horner backs Verstappen in Sky boycott: 'We are too easy a target'

31-10-2022 06:21 Last update: 08:44
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GPblog.com

Max Verstappen called British broadcasters Sky Sports disrespectful to him and decided to boycott the channel during the Mexican Grand Prix. Red Bull Racing led by Christian Horner joined in. The team boss condemned Sky's sensationalism.

In Mexico, no one from the 2022 championship team spoke to the British branch of Sky Sports. Verstappen had decided to do so after the channel's F1 reporter Ted Kravitz said on television that Lewis Hamilton had been robbed of his 2021 title by Verstappen. That was the limit for Verstappen, as it was not the first time the medium had talked about him like this.

Horner assists Verstappen in boycott

Team boss Horner is jumping on the bandwagon for the reigning world champion, saying to Mirror.com: "We're disappointed with a series of derogatory comments that have been made on Sky, so we felt this weekend we would take a break, and that it wouldn't do Sky any harm, us taking a break." What is the problem according to Horner? "There has to be balance in the commentary. Sometimes the commentary is really excellent, but some pieces... there is too much sensationalisation [sic] being done."

Horner said the team is a union and that is why everyone joined in the boycott Verstappen instituted. The boycott did not only hit the British branch of the medium. Horner: "It's not just the UK, it's on all Sky channels; also in Germany and Italy." The Briton called Kravitz's comments about the 2021 title unfair and unbalanced. "Verstappen was very upset about it and as a team we support him fully. I think Red Bull is a cheap target sometimes." According to the team boss, his team receives more criticism than its rivals.