RED BULL have blasted Sky Sports F1 over their “Merry Christmas” advert showing Max Verstappen crashing into the barriers at Silverstone.
The short clip posted on social media features the Dutchman’s high speed shunt at the British GP where he collided with Lewis Hamilton at speed on the first lap.
Such was the impact of the accident that Verstappen was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
It is staggering that after so many flashpoints this season the broadcaster would pick the footage to accompany their merry Christmas graphic.
A Red Bull spokesperson told Dutch publication De Telegraaf: “We are extremely disappointed that images are being used of a crash, in which someone ended up in hospital.
“This is in very bad taste. We hope it will be removed soon.”
Sky, who will show this weekend’s race live on Channel 4, have since taken down the video.
Both Verstappen, 24, and Hamilton, 36, go into the final race of the season able to win the Driver’s Championship.
Hamilton has won the last three F1 races and is level on points with the Red Bull man.
The Brit arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday in preparation for the big race.
Hamilton arrived in the paddock wearing a purple outfit – with the words “F*** off” on the back.
