Has Ted Kravitz gone AWOL? The people demand to know!

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Social media has been buzzing since yesterday with rumors of the impending demise of long-time Sky F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz, and his fans aren't happy.

Sky has started to ramp up the promotion for its coverage of the 2019 F1 season, the British broadcaster releasing this week an impressive high production trailer and details of its pricing plan for F1.

Late last year, Sky confirmed that 2009 world champion Jenson Button and former Channel 4 commentator Karun Chandhok would be bringing their expert insight to its line-up of pundits.

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However, Sky's failure to comment on Kravitz's fate - not to mention his colleagues' silence - was taken by his fans as an implicit confession that 'Lenny' - as he is known - has been given the boot.

That prospect has Ted's admirers up in arms and promoting an online petition to keep him, his cargo bermudas, sandals, quirky attitude and frankly unrivaled 'notebook' in the F1 paddock.

The announcement late last year of Chandhok's inclusion in Sky's crew was perhaps the writing on the wall as the natural spot to place the astute and tech-articulate former F1 driver on Grand Prix weekends is in the pitlane, the area previously inhabited by the offbeat Kravitz.

Fans will moan and groan about the track action in F1 but take away their favourite pundit and they'll file a petition and threaten to cancel their Sky subscription!

Because they watch F1 with their eyes but listened to Ted with their heart.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.