Max Verstappen removes journalist from press conference following inquiry about 2025 F1 championship.
Max Verstappen requested that a journalist exit his press conference prior to the Japanese Grand Prix due to a question posed during last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion declined to commence his media session until the journalist vacated Red Bull’s hospitality area, stating, “I’m not speaking before he’s leaving” and instructing him to “get out.”
Verstappen confirmed that his request was related to a question the journalist had asked during the post-race press conference in Abu Dhabi last year, which subsequently gained significant attention online.
The question from Abu Dhabi referred to Verstappen’s 10-second penalty at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix for colliding with George Russell’s car.
This penalty caused Verstappen to drop from fifth to tenth place, resulting in a loss of nine championship points in a season where he narrowly missed the title by two points after the final race.
The interaction during the press conference, which occurred four months ago, unfolded as follows:
Journalist: “Max, you lost out to Lando by just two points. What are your thoughts now regarding the incident with George Russell in Spain? Do you have any regrets looking back?”
Verstappen: “You overlook all the other events that occurred in my season. The only thing you bring up is Barcelona. I anticipated that would come up. You’re giving me a silly grin now. I don’t know.
“Yeah, it’s part of racing in the end. You learn from it. The championship consists of 24 rounds. I’ve also received many early Christmas gifts in the latter half, so that can also be questioned.”
On Thursday, Verstappen specifically pointed out the same journalist and requested his departure from the press conference following another tense exchange.
Verstappen: “One moment, I’m not speaking before he’s leaving.”
Journalist: “Seriously?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “Is it because of the question last year?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “You want me to leave?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “Just because of the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “About why you …”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “About Spain.”
Verstappen: “Get out.”
Journalist: “You’re really that upset about it?”
Verstappen: “Get out. Yeah. Get out.”
After the journalist exited the media session, Verstappen remarked: “Now we can start.”
Source: espn.com
