SUZUKA, Japan — Tension in the Media Session
Max Verstappen refused to begin his media session on Thursday in Japan until a journalist left the room. This refusal stemmed from an earlier question the journalist had posed during the last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
As the 28-year-old driver settled in for his pre-race media briefing in Red Bull’s hospitality area, he interjected before any questions could be asked. “One second — I’m not speaking before he’s leaving,” Verstappen stated, gesturing to the Guardian journalist at the back of the room.
When the reporter inquired if he was serious, Verstappen confirmed, saying, “Yep.” He clarified that his objections were related to a question about an incident involving George Russell from last year’s Spanish Grand Prix.
“Yep. Get out,” Verstappen told the journalist as he collected his dictaphone from the table in front of him. The reporter asked if Verstappen was truly that upset, to which the driver once again replied: “Yep, get out.” Once the reporter exited, Verstappen remarked, “Now we can start.”
In the post-race press conference following last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Verstappen narrowly missed out on the championship, the same reporter had asked if he had any regrets about the incident in Spain. Verstappen had collided with Russell, resulting in a time penalty that cost him crucial championship points.
In response to that question, Verstappen had stated, “You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season,” voicing his frustration. This incident has clearly stuck with him, as evidenced by Thursday’s outburst three months later.
A Look Back at Past Media Interactions
The media session continued following Verstappen’s confrontation, with him discussing his recent sports car race at the Nurburgring and his performance in a Nissan GT-R. Despite a difficult start to the current season, where he faced performance issues and ranked low in points, he addressed various topics, showcasing his typical media engagement after the incident.
