F1 News: Sky F1 Presenter Dodges Awkward Max Verstappen Message in Qualifying Roundup

Saajan Jogia | Apr 6, 2024

Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Red Bull Racing Honda driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands (1) / Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

As Japan celebrates the Cherry Blossom season, also known as Sakura quite early this year, Sky F1 presenter Ted Kravitz took a walk around the Suzuka circuit and spotted an artificial Sakura tree full of messages from fans for their favorite F1 drivers. However, there was one particular message for Max Verstappen that seemed so controversial that Kravitz was surprised to read it. He eventually laughed and covered the message to prevent it from being televised.

Key Takeaways:

• Ted Kravitz discovered an artificial Sakura tree at the Suzuka Circuit covered in messages for F1 drivers, including a controversial one aimed at Max Verstappen, prompting Kravitz to hide it from the camera.
• Red Bull's dominant 1-2 finish in Suzuka's qualifying raises speculation about their potential success in the upcoming Grand Prix, following a less fortunate outcome in Australia due to a brake failure on Verstappen's car.
• Fans hope to see close battles at the front of the grid and are eager for another team to challenge Verstappen and his RB20, especially after Ferrari's Carlos Sainz broke his winning streak from the previous season with a victory in Australia.

As anticipated, Red Bull dominated Suzuka's qualifying, locking in a 1-2 finish today, prompting speculation that they might repeat this success in tomorrow's Grand Prix. However, there is a feeling of hope and excitement that follows the atmosphere set at the Australian Grand Prix two weeks ago, where Red Bull missed out on both the top spot and a podium finish, courtesy of a brake failure on Vertsappen's F1 car that put him back in the garage.

Fans are eagerly anticipating close battles at the front of the grid, hoping to witness another F1 driver challenge Verstappen and his RB20. The Dutchman continued his winning streak from 2023 by clinching victories in the first two races of the season, which was broken by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in the third Grand Prix in Australia.

Nov 17, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands (1) / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Kravitz came across a message from one such Formula 1 fan on the artificial Sakura tree, who vented their frustration at Verstappen's ongoing dominance. Whereas, messages addressed to other F1 drivers, such as one for Nico Rosberg that read "Hang in there Nico!", or another for Lando Norris that read, "From pole to win", were found to be benevolent and motivating.

Red Bull - Max Verstappen - Lee Stevenson / Red Bull Content Pool

The F1 pundit picked the message for Verstappen, and he began reading it. He said "I hope you...., Oh dear, it's about Max Verstappen". Realizing that the message was not suitable to be shown to the audience, he then attempted to hide the message from the cameraman while chuckling, saying "Don't show it, I'll get in trouble, don't show it".

It's not a stretch for Formula 1 fans to speculate that Verstappen's message could be related to not winning the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. However, whether this hope becomes a reality, or not, will only be revealed on Sunday.