Red Bull will today host the Formula 1 boss of Sky Sports as the two sides build bridges after their fall-out at the Mexican Grand Prix.
The relationship between the team and the broadcaster broke down in Mexico City after a comment made by pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz. In Austin a week earlier, he said Lewis Hamilton had been "robbed" of the drivers' title last season, referring to the controversial Abu Dhabi finale.
Max Verstappen took offence to that comment and decided to avoid any Sky interviews over the course of the Mexican GP weekend. And his team followed suit, to support their driver having grown more and more frustrated with some elements of the broadcaster's coverage in recent months.
"This year has been a constant, kind of like digging and being disrespectful, especially from one particular person," explained Verstappen after his race victory. "At some point, it's enough, I don't accept it. You can't live in the past, you just have to move on."
Team principal Christian Horner confirmed after the race that the boycott would be for one weekend only. "It was just to register our discontent," he told reporters, before asserting his belief that Red Bull are "cheap targets" for critics.
Regardless of that declaration that hostilities would cease, it seems extra steps have been taken to make sure the two sides have reconciled before the next race in Brazil this coming weekend. The Daily Mail reports Sky's F1 director Billy McGinty will visit the team's Milton Keynes base today [Monday], having already held talks remotely.
Sky commentator David Croft and pundit Naomi Schiff publicly spoke with Red Bull driver Sergio Perez in Las Vegas at the weekend, in a display which proved the boycott was over. It took place at the launch party for the race in the city next season, at which George Russell couldn't help mocking the situation.
"Are you allowed to ask Red Bull drivers questions Crofty?" Russell asked with a grin just before Croft was about to speak to Perez. The reply was: "Yeah, I am tonight. I've got special permission tonight. Don't start on me.
Croft then jokingly asked Perez if he was allowed to answer his questions. Co-host Schiff clearly looked to diffuse the situation, adding: "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."
