Why Max Verstappen kicked out British journalist from media session

Max Verstappen refused to conduct his media session ahead of Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix until a journalist had left.

The four-time world champion’s usual pre-weekend media session began in remarkable circumstances after a confrontation with The Guardian’s Giles Richards as it got underway. 

As the first question was being asked, Verstappen interrupted: “One second; I’m not speaking before he’s leaving.”

The following exchange played out between Verstappen and the British journalist, with Crash.net witness to the unfolding events. 

Richards: Seriously?

Verstappen: Yeah.

Richards: Because of the question last year?

Verstappen: Yeah.

Richards: You want me to leave? 

Verstappen: Yeah. 

Richards: Because of the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi about Spain?

Verstappen: Yep. Get out. 

Richards: You’re really that upset about it? 

Verstappen: Get out.. Now we can start. 

Verstappen’s grievance dates back to the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and a question Richards asked him in the post-race FIA press conference. 

Richards asked Verstappen whether he regretted his collision with Mercedes’ George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix and whether he felt the incident cost him the world championship. 

Verstappen was handed a 10-second time penalty which resulted in him losing five places and dropping to 10th in the classification. The punishment cost Verstappen nine points. 

The Dutchman ultimately missed out on the world title to Lando Norris by just two points come the season’s end. 

“You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season,” an unimpressed Verstappen retorted at Richards last December. 

“The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that [question] would come. You’re giving me a stupid grin now.

“I don’t know. Yeah, it’s part of racing at the end. You live and learn. The championship is one of 24 rounds. I’ve also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me in the second half, so you can also question that.”

It is not the first time Verstappen and Red Bull have had vexation with the media and British outlets in particular. 

Back in 2022, Verstappen boycotted Sky Sports F1 for a brief period after Ted Kravitz referred to Lewis Hamilton being “robbed” of the 2021 world championship at the controversial title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

Crash.net has reached out to Red Bull for comment on the matter but is yet to receive a response.