Martin Brundle handed Sky Sports F1 promotion after Ted Kravitz skips Spanish GP

Martin Brundle has been handed a Sky Sports F1 “promotion” this weekend as Ted Kravitz misses the Spanish Grand Prix. Brundle will be stepping in for the channel’s pit lane reporter in Barcelona alongside his punditry duties.

He made the announcement just minutes ahead of FP1 as the channel addressed Kravitz’s absence He said: “I’m doing the pit lane job, I’ve been promoted to Mr Kravitz’s role in the pitlane.”

Ahead of the weekend, Kravitz confirmed he was going on holiday and would not be in Spain. However, the popular host made sure to tell fans when he would be returning to screens.

He explained: “I’m not [going to be] in Barcelona. I will be going on a longboat holiday on the Grand Union Canal, so the notebook will return at the Canadian Grand Prix.” His Sky Sports colleagues teased Brundle about the new position as he put his new role to the test.

He quickly shared details on Ferrari’s new upgrades which will be used for the first time at the Circuit de Catalunya. Brundle explained: “Crofty was saying they are going to try the old sidepods and the new sidepods.

“[Charles] Leclerc on the old and [Carlos] Sainz on the new, which doesn’t show a huge amount of confidence but we will see how it goes.” Natalie Pinkham jokingly called Brundle out, stressing he should have taken the credit for his knowledge.

She laughed: “I’m not being funny but from now on you can’t credit Crofty with these kinds of things. You just have to own that. That’s impressive knowledge isn’t it.” Brundle quickly defended his co-commentator, responding: “Teamwork.”

Later in the programme, Brundle revealed he was “very excited” about taking on the extra responsibility. Brundle and Kravitz are understood to have a good relationship with the ex-F1 driver defending his colleague after Red Bull boycotted the broadcaster last year.

Max Verstappen refused to speak to Sky Sports F1 after Kravitz made comments about his championship win in 2021. Brundle posted on Twitter: “For the avoidance of doubt my friend and colleague for the past 26 years @tedkravitz has my full support.

“Face-to-face dialogue is the only way to sort out issues and disputes in the relentless crucible of the F1 paddock. We all have opinions and different jobs to do, that’s life.” Verstappen arrives in Spain with a commanding 39-point advantage over his nearest rival Sergio Perez.

Red Bull have won every race this season with Verstappen taking four wins to Perez’s two. The team’s nearest non-Red Bull challenger, Aston Martin, sit behind them with Fernando Alonso a staggering 51 points behind Verstappen.