After many weeks of speculation, and two Grand Prix’s with no-show, Ted Kravitz isn’t missing any longer, and indeed Sky Sports F1 have confirmed that Ted’s Notebook will be back for the Formula 1 2019 season starting in China for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Ted’s live interview with Max Verstappen in China, his first on-camera appearance in the paddock of 2019 can be viewed below on the movie player.

Ted’s live interview with Max Verstappen in China – his first on-camera appearance in the paddock of 2019

 

It was speculated that Karun Chandhok, the ex Formula 1 driver, had taken Ted Kravitz role as pit lane reporter after Ted had been missing from winter testing coverage along with the first two Grand Prix’, Australia and Bahrain.

“Ahhhhhhh… Ted is like comfort food. I really do miss the Notebooks. Ted is ‘alright’ in scripted shows like the mid-week wrap-up but that’s not his style.” said one F1 fan on Reddit,

“Again, it’s silly to move him where he doesn’t fit. I love his unscripted commentary! Please please please Sky bring back the Notebook! Ted has a way of taking me to the race, I feel like it’s my friend walking me through the paddock and showing me around.”

 

At first it appears that Sky intended for Ted to return, but not with his Notebook segment as evidenced below by the Sky help team on Twitter earlier this month.

Hi Dominic, I can confirm that Ted will be part of the presentation team in China. Ted has a new mid-week F1 show so Ted's Notebook wont be back. Thanks ^CK

— Sky Help Team (@SkyHelpTeam) April 3, 2019

But then in a peculiar U-turn, it seems Sky Sports F1 has changed their minds yet again confirming on their website that Ted’s Notebook will be broadcast after the race in China. This also confirmed by the Sky Twitter again.

We can confirm Ted will present The China GP Notebook. Thanks ^CK

— Sky Help Team (@SkyHelpTeam) April 8, 2019

The Sky Sports F1 post race analysis segment thought to have been ditched by Sky boss Scott Young. It is known that Scott Young had not thought much of Ted’s Notebook and had earmarked it to be dropped for 2019. (READ MORE ON THAT)

 

motorsportbroadcasting.com seem to think that Sky are in a little bit of disarray with their changes in direction:

“Make no mistake about it: Sky’s PR on this from the start has been appalling, with attempts made at every opportunity to brush the subject underneath the surface.” says the industry writer David Nelson.

“Instead of being proactive, Sky’s whole communication strategy has felt reactive.”

The whole affair certainly smacks of political agenda and poor planning from Sky. But it appears the majority of F1 fans are pleased that Kravitz and his Notebook are back.

 

MORE F1 – Saturday Quali…

Brought to you by TheJudge13 contributor Mattpt55

Ambient 20° Track 36° Humidity 48.5% Wind 1.08 m/s

Prelude

The heavy haze of industrial life hung like a blanket over the paddock as the cost of China’s economic expansion made itself painfully visible. Less so was the sudden tailwind in FP3 into the final corner which first sent Vettel wide, spoiling what would’ve been a significantly faster lap than his posted time and then Alex Albon into a tank slapper that ended rather abruptly (and expensively) in the outside barrier. That put paid to the last minutes of the session, spoiling fast laps by, amongst others, both HAAS runners.

Hamilton had managed to spoil his fast lap all on his own, with a mistake that caused him to abandon his first run and then go again on tyres that were well past their prime. In fact, of the frontrunners, only Bottas and Leclerc managed to improve on their second, late session runs. Make of that what you will.

Also to make of, the fact that after replacing the Control Electronics in both Ferraris and HAAS cars, Vettel still spent a nice chunk of time with the nose of his car off and something vaguely electrical being examined. Renault turned up with new… CONTINUE READING

 

 

Chinese Grand Prix coverage

The next race in China is happening this weekend, starting on Friday free-practice. One of the easiest ways of watching is to use the new F1 TV pro (learn more).

After a shaky start in 2018, it seems that the streaming service has got it’s act together better and it’s something this Judge can now recommend.

Friday 12th April 2019

Chinese Grand Prix Free Practice 1: 10:00-11:30 (UK time: 3:00-4:30)
Chinese Grand Prix Free Practice 2: 14:00-15:30 (UK time: 7:00-8:30)

Saturday 13th April 2019

Chinese Grand Prix Free Practice 3: 11:00-12:00 (UK time: 4:00-5:00)
Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying: 14:00 (UK time: 7:00)

Sunday 14th April 2019

Chinese Grand Prix: 14:10 (UK time: 7:10)

 

 

 

Ted Kravitz missing? Ted finally returns to Sky F1

28th Mar 2019

Where’s Ted? A Twitter hashtag that has been rather popular of late since the formula 1 winter testing in Barcelona last February after the popular Sky F1 pitlane reporter appeared to be purposely missing from the TV coverage, and then also missing from the Australian Grand Prix was ‘Teds Notebook’.

The Twitter storm even brought about an online petition where around four thousand people signed up at change.org to “Keep Ted Kravitz in F1”.

 

After Sky F1 did confirm the absent Kravitz would be featuring in the F1 broadcast, the new Sky motorsport director Scott Young said this of his 2019 presenter lineup:

“We have an amazing line up of experts who have real first-hand knowledge of the sport and are brilliant communicators. They are supported by the best commentator and reporters in the business.”

It appears that Ted’s Sky F1 career was indeed in question due to an unfavourable reputation with Scott Young (read the story below), but a last-minute rescue deal ensured that Ted Kravitz would indeed appear on Sky F1’s coverage for 2019. That said, the reporter was still missing for Australia prompting further speculation as to the popular presenters’ whereabouts.

Sky F1 has remained quiet up until now.

Unfortunately for fans of…. READ MORE ON THIS STORY

 

 

 

How Ted Kravitz was nearly sacked by Sky Sports F1

26th Feb 2019

Last weekend saw a huge surge of protests on social media against Sky Sports F1 and unfortunately Karun Chandhok (his alleged replacement), when it was speculated that popular pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz was thought to have been sacked by the new Sky motorsports boss Scott Young.

Yesterday Sky announced that their pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz was confirmed to join in their full lineup of presenters for the 2019 season. Much speculation and even some gossip had been emailed to TJ13 by an industry insider claiming that Ted had fallen out of favour with the new boss Scott Young.

 

So what happened? READ MORE ON THIS STORY