George Russell has mocked Sky Sports commentator David Croft over Red Bull 's boycott of his broadcaster at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Mercedes driver Russell used F1's Las Vegas launch party to make a sly dig over the standoff after Max Verstappen had taken offence over comments made by Sky's pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz.
World champion Verstappen was angry after Kravitz suggested Lewis Hamilton had been robbed of an eighth world title during their dramatic battle in Abu Dhabi to end the 2021 season.
“If you keep disrespecting me I am not tolerating it any more and that is why I decided to stop answering,” he told reporters as he refused to speak to Sky following his 14th race win of the season in Mexico.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner backed Verstappen after Kravitz's comments proved the final straw before the boycott of the broadcaster.
“Max was upset," Horner said. "We were upset and we made the decision to stand together as a team. 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. "
Red Bull's refusal to engage with Sky in Mexico has been a key talking point in the paddock and Russell has wasted no time in teasing the F1 broadcaster. Sky Sports pundits David Croft and Naomi Schiff were hosting a lavish event in 'Sin City' Las Vegas, which will make an appearance on the F1 calendar for the first time in 2023.
Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez was representing Red Bull at the event and Russell took his chance to poke fun at Croft on stage, just before he was about to ask a question to the Mexican driver.
"Are you allowed to ask Red Bull drivers questions Crofty?" Russell asked cheekily. "Yeah, I am tonight. I've got special permission tonight. Don't start on me," Croft replied, before jokingly asking Perez if he was allowed to answer his questions. Croft's co-host Schiff clearly looked to diffuse the situation, adding: "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."
The Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023 was confirmed in March and fans flocked to a glamorous launch event that also included F1 stars Hamilton and Alex Albon.
