Sky F1 chief in Red Bull peace talks

SKY SPORTS’ Formula One director, Billy McGinty, is due to visit Red Bull’s factory today as the two sides kiss and make up after their row at the Mexican Gran 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 success and the team principal, Christian Horner, complained of ‘sensationalism’. Verstappen, speaking in Mexico after winning the race, said: ‘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.’

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 argument. McGinty’s visit to Milton Keynes today 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.

Kravitz and Horner, meanwhile, are due to talk once they have touched down in Brazil for next weekend’s race. Both Red Bull and Sky, who recently extended their TV rights deal for Formula One until 2029, declined to comment.