Sky Sports have received complaints from F1 insiders about Nico Rosberg’s behaviour towards Jos Verstappen, according to reports. Rosberg is a regular member of the presenting team, often appearing at race weekends to provide analysis. He also conducts post-race interviews and occasionally features on the grid before the five red lights go out.
Earlier this year, Rosberg interviewed Max Verstappen’s father Jos during the build-up to the Belgian Grand Prix. It was the first race weekend since Red Bull relieved Christian Horner of his duties and replaced him with Laurent Mekies. The elder Verstappen was a vocal critic of Horner during his time in the paddock and Rosberg was eager to get his reaction.
He confronted the Dutchman about his comments on Horner, saying: “Last year, you said Horner needs to go because he’s destroying the team.” Verstappen, however, was quick to shut down the line of questioning as the interview turned frosty.
“That was one-and-a-half years ago,” said the 53-year-old. “It’s different. I have nothing to say. It’s fine.” Rosberg then said: “Now you are quiet,” to which Verstappen replied: “I’m always quiet.”
Rosberg’s treatment of Verstappen has been met with considerable frustration in the F1 paddock, according to GPBlog. The report states that some people have complained to Sky Sports with Rosberg’s conduct described as ‘unacceptable’.
They are refusing to give interviews to the channel, having turned down a number of requests during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.
Sky Sports wanted to speak with Aston Martin’s chief trackside officer Mike Krack but were blocked from doing so, according to Bild. They were also keen to interview team owner Lawrence Stroll but he rejected a conversation live on air.
Explaining to their viewers, regular analyst Ralf Schumacher said: “I know they’re not giving us any more interviews because they don’t like us that much at the moment.”
Co-pundit Peter Hardenacke was quick to provide further context, adding: “We were a bit too critical of the people at Aston Martin.”
For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express F1 newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.