Ted Kravitz apologises to Mercedes engineers after awkward George Russell incident

Ted Kravitz issued a light-hearted apology to the Mercedes engineering team after mocking George Russell's performance to their face. The Brackley-based team had a decent outcome at the Chinese Grand Prix as Russell snagged a podium finish in thirdbehind McLaren duo Lando Norris (P2) and Oscar Piastri (P1). 

Kimi Antonelli crossed the line in eighth but was later promoted to P6 after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc's disqualification, but there was a feeling Russell's day could've been even better had he had a little more time with Norris racing the final few laps with a faulty brake pedal that resulted in him having to coast around some corners. Despite the terrifying problems the 25-year-old had to endure, Russell was unable to take advantage and had to settle for third. After the race, the mischievous Kravitz walked to the Mercedes paddock and jokingly interrogated them on their inability to overcome Norris, who admitted his rival would've caught him had there been one more lap. While the Mercedes engineers were able to see the funny side, the Sky Sports reporter ended up apologising for causing an 'awkward' atmosphere.

Kravitz, while citing inspiration from the late and great Eddie Jordan, said: “Right, George Russell. I had the idea of Eddie Jordan stuck in my head thinking, ‘George Russell, he can’t even overtake Lando Norris, who hasn’t got any brakes. What’s wrong with George Russell?'.

"But, he couldn’t, unfortunately for George, because that might have been some more points, but he was third today.”

After lambasting the Mercedes car in front of the giggling engineers, Kravitz quickly backtracked and said: “Sorry, was that harsh? Was that harsh of me boys?

"Yeah, but come on. He can’t even overtake Lando Norris who hasn’t even got any brakes. I know it would have been one lap longer. Anyway, I was quoting and imagining the late great Eddie Jordan."

“I know, I know, there were reasons why. Sorry, that was slightly awkward," he added before walking away rather sheepishly. Kravitz then said: "But George, a good getaway, but was squeezed by Oscar Piastri down to P3 and undercut Lando Norris who got P2. Got passed back and really got dropped to P3 by the two McLarens.

“And, as I said, even with Lando having no brakes, George remained six or seven seconds behind him. Another lap may have got him, but couldn’t take advantage of Lando No Brakes towards the end of the race and stayed in P3."

When Kravitz strolled up to the Aston Martin team, which was formerly Jordan F1, he took up a more serious tone. The reporter described the emotional tribute that was paid towards F1 icon Jordan, who passed away aged 76 after a battle with cancer.

Kravitz said: “I’ve got to say, the team that used to be Jordan, there was a particularly moving tribute to Eddie Jordan before the driver’s parade. All of the team principals and drivers were out on the start and finish line.

“All of the other teams were standing a sort of guard of honour in front of their garages and they played out the Bono tribute, voiced by Bono, and played out ‘With or without you’.

“It was impeccably observed and I think the old boy, Eddie, would have liked it. Even though he would have then said, ‘Come on, lets get racing’, which we later did of course.”

After the race, Norris, who won the Australian Grand Prix, admitted he was petrified once he realised his brakes had stopped working. He said: "It was scary. It’s like my worst nightmare when the brakes are failing. I was losing two, three, four seconds the last couple of laps, so I was a bit scared. I survived and made it to the end.

“I would have loved to have given it a little try and put Oscar under a little bit of pressure but not today. We’re satisfied, great result. We’ll go again next time.”