Sky Sports and its pundit Nico Rosberg are at the center of a heated controversy following a tense exchange with Jos Verstappen, father of four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, during the grid walk at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. The viral clip, which has sparked widespread debate, has reignited long-standing tensions between Red Bull Racing and the UK-based broadcaster, with accusations of bias and unprofessional conduct dominating discussions in the F1 paddock and on social media platforms like X.

The incident occurred on the grid at Spa-Francorchamps, moments before the start of the Belgian Grand Prix, the first race weekend following Red Bull’s shock decision to sack team principal Christian Horner after over 20 years at the helm. Horner’s departure, confirmed after the British Grand Prix, came amid a turbulent 18 months marked by allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a female colleague in 2024—allegations Horner denied and was cleared of through internal investigations. Jos Verstappen had been a vocal critic of Horner during this period, famously warning in 2024 that the team would “explode” if Horner remained in charge. With Horner replaced by Laurent Mekies, formerly of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, the F1 world was eager for Jos Verstappen’s reaction to the leadership shake-up.

During Sky Sports’ iconic grid walk, led by veteran pundit Martin Brundle, Rosberg seized the opportunity to confront Jos Verstappen. Brundle initially asked Jos about Red Bull’s changes, to which he responded diplomatically: “They decided to change, so I’m fine with everything as long as it works.” Rosberg, however, interjected with a pointed remark: “Last year, you said Horner needs to go because he’s destroying the team.” Jos, visibly taken aback, replied, “That was one and a half years ago. It’s different. I have nothing to say. It’s fine.” Undeterred, Rosberg pressed further, saying, “Now you’re quiet?” to which Jos quipped, “I’m always quiet,” before Brundle swiftly moved to defuse the situation.

The exchange, captured live on Sky Sports, quickly went viral, amassing millions of views on platforms like X. Fans and insiders alike described Rosberg’s approach as aggressive and provocative, with Dutch racer Jeroen Bleekemolen claiming to GPBlog that Jos was so incensed he “wanted to slap” Rosberg. According to reports from GPBlog and Express.co.uk, Red Bull insiders expressed significant frustration to Sky Sports, labeling Rosberg’s conduct “unacceptable” and questioning why he was conducting the grid interview in place of Brundle, Sky’s usual go-to reporter for such segments. The timing of the confrontation, just before a critical race for Max Verstappen, added to the discontent within the Red Bull camp.

Social media reactions on X amplified the controversy, with fans accusing Sky Sports of bias against the Verstappen family. Posts highlighted a perceived pattern of unfair treatment, referencing Red Bull’s boycott of Sky during the 2022 Mexican Grand Prix over what the team deemed unbalanced coverage during Max Verstappen’s 2021 championship battle with Lewis Hamilton. One user commented, “Nico Rosberg ragebaiting Jos Verstappen on Brundle’s grid walk shows Sky’s agenda against Red Bull,” while another called Rosberg “an absolute menace” for stirring the pot. However, some fans praised Rosberg’s boldness, with one stating, “Nico asks the hard questions others dodge.”

Rosberg addressed the backlash on Sky’s The F1 Show podcast, defending his line of questioning as part of the entertainment value central to Formula 1. “It’s nice to see that people appreciated our entertainment,” he said. “I just try to ask the questions that may be of interest.” He also clarified his stance on Horner’s sacking, distancing the Verstappen family from direct involvement: “I don’t think it was the Verstappen camp being involved in the Horner exit. It feels like Red Bull concluded that too many key talents were leaving under Horner, triggering a negative spiral.” Despite his defense, the incident has fueled broader debates about Sky Sports’ impartiality, with some in the paddock questioning whether the broadcaster’s coverage disproportionately targets non-British drivers and teams.

This is not the first time Sky Sports has faced criticism from F1 teams. In addition to Red Bull’s 2022 boycott, Aston Martin recently shunned Sky Sports Germany, citing negative coverage of driver Lance Stroll by pundit Ralf Schumacher. According to Bild, Aston Martin refused interviews with Sky Germany during the Hungarian Grand Prix, with team owner Lawrence Stroll and chief trackside officer Mike Krack declining to speak. Sky Germany’s Peter Hardenacke acknowledged the tension, noting, “We were a bit too critical of the people at Aston Martin.”

The Rosberg-Verstappen clash has also drawn attention to the broader dynamics within Red Bull. Horner’s exit, attributed to performance issues by Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko, marked a significant shift for a team that has struggled in 2025, sitting fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, 324 points behind leaders McLaren. Max Verstappen, despite winning the sprint race at Spa, could only manage a P4 finish in the Grand Prix, with his championship lead slipping to 81 points behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Speculation about the Verstappen family’s influence in Horner’s sacking persists, with Brundle suggesting Jos acted as a de facto “team principal” since early 2024.

As Formula 1 heads to the Dutch Grand Prix on August 29-31, 2025, Sky Sports faces pressure to mend fences with Red Bull and address perceptions of bias. The broadcaster’s coverage remains a lightning rod for controversy, with the Rosberg incident underscoring the delicate balance between journalistic probing and professional decorum in the high-stakes world of F1. For now, the viral clip continues to fuel debates, with fans and insiders divided on whether Rosberg’s grilling was a bold journalistic move or an overstep that risks alienating key figures in the sport.

Sources:

• Express.co.uk

• GPBlog.com

• Newsweek.com

• Sportskeeda.com

• PlanetF1.com

• Posts on X